Mogae faces three challengers in presidential race

Four parties will try their luck in the presidential race in the general elections on October 30. Chief Justice Julian Nganunu has declared presidential candidates for four political parties validly nominated, after receiving and counting the 1.000 required nomination forms from each party at the High Court. The election for the presidency will involve the incumbent Festus Mogae of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Otsweletse Moupo of Botswana National Front (BNF), Dick Bayford of New Democratic Front (NDF), and Otlaadisa Koosaletse of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). Mogae is the only candidate, whose nomination was confirmed in absentia. He is currently out of the country. (Mmegi/The Reporter, Gaborone)