Botswana Chief Justice Julian Nganunu declared here on Sunday evening President Festus Mogae winner of the general elections held on Saturday.

Mogae's ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has won a majority of 57 elected seats in the diamond-rich southern African country's National Assembly.

"That candidate is his excellency Festus Mogae and I have the honor and privilege to declare him elected to the presidency of the Republic of Botswana," Nganunu said.

According to Botswana's electoral law, the leader of the party that wins the majority of the seats in the National Assembly will be proclaimed president by the chief justice but a minority victory would lead to a vote in the assembly to elect the head of state.

Source: Xinhua