| The Republic of Botswana is a multi-party | | | | Advisory Council and the Judiciary |
| constitutional democracy. Unlike other African | | | | There is also a House of Chiefs in the |
| countries, the elections held in the country since it | | | | government of Botswana, which comprises the |
| gained its independence in 1966, have been on | | | | eight subgroups of the country and four other |
| schedule and have been deemed fair by both the | | | | members elected by subchiefs of four of the |
| people of Botswana and by international | | | | districts. The House of Chiefs can be compared |
| observers. Another feature of the politics in | | | | with the House of Lords in Britain, as bills are |
| Botswana is that the small white minority and | | | | passed to them by the National Assembly for |
| other minority groups in the country can freely | | | | advisory opinion. However, the House of Chiefs |
| participate in the political processes in the country. | | | | usually presides over traditional courts and other |
| The National Assembly and the President | | | | customary bodies. |
| In Botswana, the people vote directly for their | | | | The High Court of Botswana has general civil and |
| representatives in the National Assembly every | | | | criminal jurisdiction, and the president appoints |
| five years, which is a 40-seat national legislative | | | | judges to this court. Judges to the High Court can |
| body. Currently, the Botswana Democratic Party | | | | only be removed after just cause is established |
| (BDP) holds 33 seats; the Botswana National Front | | | | after a series of hearings. |
| (BNF), six seats; and the Botswana Congress | | | | Local Governments |
| Party (BCP) has one seat in the National | | | | Nine district councils and five town councils |
| Assembly. People appointed by the president hold | | | | administer the local government units in Botswana. |
| an additional four seats in the National Assembly | | | | District commissioners that are appointed by the |
| that are currently held by the BDP. The number | | | | central government head the districts, and they |
| of seats in the National Assembly can be | | | | have executive authority. Elected and nominated |
| expanded as representative districts may grow, | | | | district councilors and district development |
| as shown by a census that is done every 10 | | | | committees assist these district commissioners in |
| years. | | | | their duties. |
| The president, who has executive power and is | | | | The government of Botswana is characterized by |
| chosen by the National Assembly right after | | | | democratic vibrancy not seen in most of its |
| national elections are held, heads the government | | | | neighbors. Given the stable political situation and |
| in Botswana. The president?s cabinet is chosen | | | | economy of the country as a result of such |
| directly from the National Assembly. The cabinet | | | | vibrancy, Botswana is well poised to be a |
| consists of a vice president, 12 ministers for | | | | frontrunner in economic development in the |
| government agencies and three assistant | | | | region. |
| ministers. | | | | |