# Shoshong (Botswana constituency)

Shoshong is a constituency in the Central District represented in the National Assembly of Botswana by Moneedi Bagaisamang, a UDC MP since 2024.

## Constituency profile

Situated in the southeast of the Central District of Botswana, the Shoshong constituency was established in 1965 for the country's inaugural elections and is one of Botswana's longest extant constituencies.
Reflecting the dominant Ngwato population, the constituency was historically a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) stronghold. From 1965 to 2014, the BDP consistently garnered an average of 80% of the vote. However, since the turn of the century, the BDP's dominance began to wane, with its vote share decreasing in each subsequent election.
In 2019, echoing a broader trend within the district, a significant political realignment occurred as Ian Khama, paramount chief of the Ngwato tribe fell out with the incumbent president, Mokgweetsi Masisi and leader of the BDP. This political discord impacted the constituency's voting patterns. The 2019 election saw a significant 22-point swing towards the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) from the BDP, marking their strongest national performance and the first time an opposition party won Shoshong. The UDC held the seat in 2024 with a larger majority.
The constituency, predominantly rural, encompasses the following villages:
* Shoshong
* Mmutlane
* Kalamare
* Bonwapitse
* Mosolotshane
* Ikongwe
* Kodibeleng
* Otse
* Mokgenene
* Poloka
* Moralane
* Dibete
* Tobera

## Members of Parliament

Key:  BDP UDC
| Election | Winner |
| 1965 election | Goareng Mosinyi |
| 1969 election | Goareng Mosinyi |
| 1974 election | Goareng Mosinyi |
| 1979 election | Goareng Mosinyi |
| 1984 election | Goareng Mosinyi |
| 1989 election | Esther Mosinyi |
| 1994 election | Modibedi Robi |
| 1999 election | Gobopang Lefhoko |
| 2004 election | Gobopang Lefhoko |
| 2009 election | Dikgang Makgalemele |
| 2014 election | Dikgang Makgalemele |
| 2019 election | Aubrey Lesaso |
| 2024 election | Moneedi Bagaisamang |

## Election results
### 2024 election

General election 2024: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | UDC | Moneedi Bagaisamang | 7,745 | 58.22 | −6.80 |
| | BDP | Aubrey Lesaso | 2,633 | 19.79 | −9.82 |
| | BPF | Batsetswe Gontlafetse | 2,260 | 16.99 | N/A |
| | BCP | Robert Molefabangwe | 459 | 3.45 | N/A |
| | BRP | Lapelo Gaobusetswe | 205 | 1.54 | N/A |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 5,112 | 38.43 | +3.03 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 13,302 | 98.34 | −0.05 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 225 | 1.66 | +0.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,527 | 82.09 | −0.54 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,479 | | |
| | UDC hold | UDC hold | Swing | −1.51 | |

### 2019 election

General election 2019: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | UDC | Aubrey Lesaso | 5,377 | 65.02 | +22.69 |
| | BDP | Dikgang Makgalemele | 3,843 | 29.61 | −21.78 |
| | AP | Brine Mogametsi | 697 | 5.37 | N/A |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 2,174 | 35.40 | N/A |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 12,977 | 98.39 | +0.50 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 213 | 1.61 | −0.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,190 | 82.63 | –3.34 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 15,962 | | |
| | UDC gain from BDP | UDC gain from BDP | Swing | +22.24 | |

### 2014 election

General election 2014: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Dikgang Makgalemele | 5,377 | 51.39 | −4.64 |
| | UDC | Aubrey Lesaso | 4,429 | 42.33 | +5.09 |
| | BCP | Pono Magowe | 413 | 3.95 | −2.78 |
| | Independent | Tibe Tibe | 244 | 2.33 | N/A |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 948 | 9.06 | –9.74 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 10,463 | 97.89 | +0.77 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 226 | 2.11 | −0.77 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,689 | 85.97 | +9.21 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,434 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | −0.23 | |

### 2009 election

General election 2009: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Dikgang Makgalemele | 4,820 | 56.03 | −8.43 |
| | BNF | Aubrey Lesaso | 3,203 | 37.24 | +4.33 |
| | BCP | Senalebeng Mokgosi | 579 | 6.73 | −0.03 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 1,617 | 18.80 | −8.62 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,602 | 97.12 | −0.94 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 255 | 2.88 | +0.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,857 | 76.76 | −4.74 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,538 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | −2.05 | |

### 2004 election

General election 2004: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Gobopang Lefhoko | 3,391 | 64.46 | −5.58 |
| | BNF | Patrick Malakaila | 1,850 | 32.91 | +6.92 |
| | BCP | Gontlefela Mokongwa | 380 | 6.76 | +2.79 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 1,541 | 27.42 | −16.63 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,621 | 98.06 | +3.30 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 362 | 1.94 | −3.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,983 | 81.50 | +7.28 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,341 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | +0.67 | |

### 1999 election

General election 1999: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Gobopang Lefhoko | 4,589 | 70.04 | −3.36 |
| | BNF | D. T. Morotsi | 1,703 | 25.99 | −0.61 |
| | BCP | S. J. Mphoyakgosi | 260 | 3.97 | N/A |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 2,886 | 44.05 | −2.74 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,552 | 94.76 | N/A |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 362 | 5.24 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,914 | 74.22 | +1.81 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,315 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | −1.38 | |

### 1994 election

General election 1994: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Modibedi Robi | 4,315 | 73.40 | −12.40 |
| | BNF | Bailekae Ramahosi | 1,564 | 26.60 | +12.40 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 2,751 | 46.79 | −24.81 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,879 | 72.41 | +10.13 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,119 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | –12.40 | |

### 1989 election

General election 1989: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Esther Mosinyi | 3,910 | 85.80 | −11.16 |
| | BNF | Bailekae Ramahosi | 647 | 14.20 | +11.16 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 3,263 | 71.60 | −22.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,557 | 62.28 | −11.01 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,317 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | –11.16 | |

### 1984 election

General election 1984: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Goareng Mosinyi | 4,630 | 96.96 | +0.17 |
| | BNF | Bailekae Ramahosi | 145 | 3.04 | −0.17 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 4,485 | 93.93 | +0.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,775 | 73.29 | +3.97 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,515 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | +0.17 | |

### 1979 election

General election 1979: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Goareng Mosinyi | 4,909 | 96.79 | +2.17 |
| | BIP | M. M. Tlale | 163 | 3.21 | −2.17 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 4,746 | 93.57 | +4.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,072 | 69.32 | +32.42 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,317 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | +2.17 | |

### 1974 election

General election 1974: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Goareng Mosinyi | 2,885 | 94.62 | −1.25 |
| | BIP | M. M. Tlale | 164 | 5.38 | +1.25 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 2,721 | 89.24 | −2.51 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,049 | 36.90 | −26.97 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,262 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | –1.25 | |

### 1969 election

General election 1969: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BDP | Goareng Mosinyi | 4,274 | 95.87 | +1.39 |
| | BIP | M. M. Tlale | 184 | 4.13 | −0.39 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 4,090 | 91.75 | +0.79 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,423 | 63.87 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,980 | | |
| | BDP hold | BDP hold | Swing | +0.89 | |

### 1965 election

General election 1965: Shoshong :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | BDP | Goareng Mosinyi | 6,295 | 95.48 |
| | BIP | M.M. Tlale | 298 | 4.52 |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 5,997 | 90.96 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,593 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | N/A | |
| | BDP win (new seat) | BDP win (new seat) | BDP win (new seat) | BDP win (new seat) |