President of the Republic of Botswana |
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Presidential Flag
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Appointer | Parliament of Botswana |
Term length | 5 years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder | Seretse Khama |
Formation | 30 September 1966 |
Deputy | Vice-President of Botswana |
The President of the Republic of Botswana is the head of state and the head of government of Botswana, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Botswana Defence Force, according to the Constitution of Botswana.
The president is elected to a five-year term that runs concurrently with the term of the National Assembly, and is limited to a total of 10 years in office, even if they are nonconsecutive. Candidates for the legislature declare whom they endorse for president when they lodge their nomination papers. The candidate who receives a majority of endorsements from the elected members of the National Assembly is automatically elected. If no candidate receives a majority of endorsements, the National Assembly elects the president by simple majority, before it co-opts the specially elected members. If no president is elected after three ballots, or if the Speaker determines that no candidate has enough support to be elected, the legislature is automatically dissolved. In practice, the president is the leader of the majority party in the Assembly.
This is a graphical lifespan timeline of Presidents of Botswana. The presidents are listed in order of office.