Constitution of the Republic of Botswana 1966, as amended to 2021
Head of State
  • English
    There shall be a President of the Republic of Botswana who shall be the Head of State. (Sec. 30)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) Whenever Parliament is dissolved an election shall be held to the office of President in such manner as is prescribed by this section and, subject thereto, by or under an Act of Parliament.
    … (Sec. 32)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) A person shall be qualified for election as President if, and shall not be qualified unless, he or she-
    (a) is a citizen of Botswana by birth or descent;
    (b) has attained the age of 30 years; and
    (c) is qualified to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly.
    (2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, for the purposes of this section and section 39-
    (a) the term "citizen by birth" shall be understood to include only those persons who became citizens of Botswana prior to the amendment of the law relating to citizenship by the Citizenship Act;
    (b) any person who, although his or her father was a citizen of Botswana at the time of that person's birth, had, by virtue of his or her having been born outside Botswana, to be registered as a citizen of Botswana, under the law relating to citizenship in force at that time, shall be regarded as a citizen by descent. (Sec. 33)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) The executive power of Botswana shall vest in the President and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, shall be exercised by him or her either directly or through officers subordinate to him or her.
    … (Sec. 47)
Vice-President
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Vice-President who shall be appointed by the President from among the Elected Members of the National Assembly who are citizens of Botswana by birth or descent, which appointment shall be endorsed by the said Elected Members.
    … (Sec. 39)
Vice-President
  • English
    The Vice-President shall be the principal assistant of the President in the discharge of his or her executive functions and shall be responsible, under the directions of the President, for such business of the government of Botswana (including the administration of any department of Government) as the President may assign to him or her. (Sec. 49)
Government
  • English
    (1) There shall be such offices of Minister of the Government (not exceeding six or such other number as Parliament may from time to time provide) as may be established by Parliament or, subject to the provisions of any Act of Parliament, by the President.
    (2) There shall be such offices of Assistant Minister (not exceeding three or such number as Parliament may from time to time provide) as may be established by Parliament or, subject to the provisions of any Act of Parliament, by the President.
    (3) Appointments to the office of Minister or Assistant Minister shall be made by the President from among Members of the National Assembly: Provided that-
    (i) not more than four persons may be appointed as Minister or Assistant Minister from amongst persons who are not Members of the Assembly but are qualified for election as such; and
    (ii) if occasion arises for making an appointment to the office of a Minister or an Assistant Minister while Parliament is dissolved a person who was a Member of the Assembly before the dissolution may be appointed as a Minister or an Assistant Minister. (Sec. 42)
Government
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, Vice-President and the Ministers.
    … (Sec. 44)
Government
  • English
    (1) The Cabinet shall be responsible for advising the President with respect to the policy of the Government and with respect to such other matters as may be referred to it by the President and shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, be responsible to the National Assembly for all things done by or under the authority of the President, Vice-President or any Minister in the execution of his or her office.
    ... (Sec. 50)
Legislature
  • English
    There shall be a Parliament of Botswana which shall consist of the President and a National Assembly. (Sec. 57)
Legislature
  • English
    ...
    (2) In addition to the President the National Assembly shall consist of-
    (a) 57 Elected Members who shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and subject thereto in accordance with the provisions of any Act of Parliament; and
    (b) six Specially Elected Members who shall be elected in accordance with the First Schedule to this Constitution and subject thereto in accordance with the provisions of any Act of Parliament. (Sec. 58)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of section 62 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly if, and shall not be qualified to be so elected unless-
    (a) he or she is a citizen of Botswana;
    (b) he or she has attained the age of 18 years;
    (c) he or she is qualified for registration as a voter for the purposes of the election of the Elected Members of the National Assembly and is so registered; and
    (d) he or she is able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read English well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the Assembly. (Sec. 61)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Botswana. (Sec. 86)
1

Constitution of Botswana 1966, as amended to 2016 (English). Amendment to the Constitution 2021 (English), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2023).

Links to all sites last visited 1 November 2023
2
Part of Chapter II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.
3, 4, 5

3- Sec. 5 on Protection of the right to personal liberty.

4- Sec. 15 on Protection from discrimination.

5- Sec. 17 on Declarations relating to emergencies.