Constitution of Botswana
Encyclopedia
The present Constitution of Botswana
commenced on September 30, 1966.
In 1959, a Constitutional Committee of the Joint Advisory Council drew up the Protectorate's first formal constitution, which came into operation in 1960. In 1963 consultations began for a second constitution which would confer self-government. The 1965 general election
was held under this constitution, which was modelled on the Westminster system
of parliamentary democracy: there was a unicameral legislature; a prime minister and cabinet of five ministers responsible to the legislature; and a purely consultative House of Chiefs
.
When Botswana achieved full independence on 30 September 1966, the prime minister was replaced by a president elected by the legislature (renamed the National Assembly
, and given executive powers.
A series of later amendments to the Constitution have increased the number of elected members of the National Assembly, and the size of the House of Chiefs. Other constitutional changes were made in 1994 and 1997.
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
commenced on September 30, 1966.
Background
Before colonial rule was established in Botswana, a traditional constitution - a body of laws known as molao - was used by tribal chiefs, or diKgosi, of the BaTswana people. During the early years of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, some non-Batswana also came to be ruled by these laws. Protectorate administrators kept elements, though not all, of this traditional constitution; much of it has lapsed today.In 1959, a Constitutional Committee of the Joint Advisory Council drew up the Protectorate's first formal constitution, which came into operation in 1960. In 1963 consultations began for a second constitution which would confer self-government. The 1965 general election
Bechuanaland general election, 1965
General elections were held in the Bechuanaland Protectorate on 1 March 1965, the country's first election with universal suffrage. Voter turnout was 74.55% of the 188,950 registered voters. Following the elections, which resulted in a landslide victory for the Bechuanaland Democratic Party, the...
was held under this constitution, which was modelled on the Westminster system
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
of parliamentary democracy: there was a unicameral legislature; a prime minister and cabinet of five ministers responsible to the legislature; and a purely consultative House of Chiefs
House of Chiefs of Botswana
The House of Chiefs of Botswana is an advisory body of the country's Parliament.-Composition:The House of Chiefs consists of 35 members. Eight members are hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes...
.
When Botswana achieved full independence on 30 September 1966, the prime minister was replaced by a president elected by the legislature (renamed the National Assembly
National Assembly of Botswana
The National Assembly of Botswana is the legislature of the country's unicameral Parliament. It is advised by the House of Chiefs, which is not a house of Parliament....
, and given executive powers.
A series of later amendments to the Constitution have increased the number of elected members of the National Assembly, and the size of the House of Chiefs. Other constitutional changes were made in 1994 and 1997.