The result was a victory for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),[1] which had won every election since 1965.

However, the elections also saw a strong performance from the Botswana National Front (BNF), which tripled its number of MPs and won all four seats in the capital Gaborone.

[3] The BNF considered boycotting the elections after the government refused to reform the electoral system or reduce the voting age from 21, but eventually contested the elections due to the belief that the government was vulnerable.

Incumbent President Masire (BDP) was challenged by Kenneth Koma (BNF) and Knight Maripe (BPP).

It would be the BNF's best showing until the 2024 elections, when the BNF-led Umbrella for Democratic Change would defeat the BDP.