Former Botswana President Masisi says loser to accept defeat

Masisi says loser to accept defeat HEAD of International Conference on Great Lakes Region Election Observation Mission Mokgweetsi Masisi says both the ruling and opposition political parties who took part in the August 13 general election have made a commitment to accept defeat if they lose. He said this at a joint press briefing where […]

Masisi says loser to accept defeat

HEAD of International Conference on Great Lakes Region Election Observation Mission Mokgweetsi Masisi says both the ruling and opposition political parties who took part in the August 13 general election have made a commitment to accept defeat if they lose.

He said this at a joint press briefing where heads of international election observer missions gave their preliminary assessment of the 2026 general election, generally noting that the election was peaceful and well organised.

Dr Masisi said the mission met President Hakainde Hichilema, opposition political party leaders and civil society and that the stakeholders committed to respecting the rule of law by accepting defeat if they lost the elections.

The former Botswana President was responding to a question from an observer who asked if he had personally engaged political leaders to concede defeat like he did when he lost elections in Botswana in 2024.

“The Masisi way is not for everybody. The Masisi way is where you conceded defeat before the counting is over. But circumstances and perception are different. If it was so, we would be engaging in certain diplomacy,” he said.

Dr Masisi said the polling was generally peaceful in the observed stations and that no campaigning was observed at and around the stations. The mission had deployed 100 observers.

“Most polling stations observed were compliant with the provisions of the law as it affects the conduct of the poll on polling day. We noted a heightening of speculation, allegations and accusations as the day of polling progressed,” Dr Masisi said.

-ZDM