| Country: | Botswana |
| Type: | Legislative |
| Previous Election: | 1989 Botswana general election |
| Previous Year: | 1989 |
| Outgoing Members: | 6th Parliament of Botswana |
| Election Date: | 15 October 1994 |
| Next Election: | 1999 Botswana general election |
| Next Year: | 1999 |
| Elected Members: | 7th Parliament of Botswana |
| Seats For Election: | 40 of the 44 seats in the National Assembly |
| Majority Seats: | 21 |
| Registered: | 370,169 |
| Image1: | Quett Masire detail DF-SC-85-12044.JPEG |
| Leader1: | Quett Masire |
| Party1: | Botswana Democratic Party |
| Last Election1: | 64.78%, 31 seats |
| Leaders Seat1: | None |
| Seats1: | 27 |
| Seat Change1: | 4 |
| Popular Vote1: | 154,705 |
| Percentage1: | 54.59% |
| Swing1: | 10.19pp |
| Leader2: | Kenneth Koma |
| Party2: | Botswana National Front |
| Last Election2: | 26.95%, 3 seats |
| Seats2: | 13 |
| Leaders Seat2: | Gaborone South |
| Seat Change2: | 10 |
| Popular Vote2: | 105,109 |
| Percentage2: | 37.09% |
| Swing2: | 10.14pp |
| President | |
| Before Election: | Quett Masire |
| Before Party: | Botswana Democratic Party |
| After Election: | Quett Masire |
| After Party: | Botswana Democratic Party |
General elections were held in Botswana on 15 October 1994, alongside simultaneous local elections. 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.
Following the 1991 census, constituency boundaries were redrawn and six new constituencies were created. Five of these were in urban areas, which was deemed to be a more realistic apportionment of constituencies; Gaborone gained three, Francistown one and Lobatse became a new constituency.[2]
The elections were contested by a record nine parties,[3] with a total of 108 candidates running.[2] 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.[2]
The BDP campaigned on its record of economic and political stability, whilst the BNF campaign centred on high rent and utility costs, as well as unemployment.[3]
The four indirectly elected members were elected on 26 October by members of the National Assembly, based on a list of eight candidates produced by President Ketumile Masire.
Following the elections, the National Assembly convened on 17 October to elect the President. Incumbent President Masire (BDP) was challenged by Kenneth Koma (BNF) and Knight Maripe (BPP). Masire was re-elected and inaugurated on 19 October.[3] The new government was announced on 25 October.[3]