Paul Nyathi|The Independent Electoral Commission in Botswana says it is ready for the 12th general elections in the landlocked country. Botswana will be going to the polls next Wednesday.

Out of the 1.6 million eligible voters, only 925 000 people have registered to vote.

Four political parties including the ruling Botswana Democratic Party have registered presidential candidates.

The party needs to win more than 29 seats in the 57 seat Parliament for its candidate to be declared the winner.

“A total of 210 candidates successfully nominated for assembly, which comprises 57 seats and we have 1 547 local-government-nominated candidates. Out of this 1 547, we have 198 independent candidates,” says spokesperson for the IEC in Botswana, Osupile Maroba.