Lesotho elections ‘free and fair’
THE ELECTIONS in Lesotho were transparent and fair, the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) said yesterday.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Lesotho organised, conducted and delivered credible elections at short notice, SEOM head Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said.
“The SADC Electoral Observation Mission concludes that the 2015 National Assembly elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho were peaceful, transparent, credible, free and fair, thus reflecting the will of the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho,” South Africa’s international relations minister said.
“SEOM urges all political parties and candidates to accept the outcome and encourages any political party or candidate that may wish to challenge the election results to do so in accordance with the laws of the country.”
On behalf of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security operation and President Jacob Zuma, Nkoana-Mashabane commended the way the people of Lesotho conducted themselves in Saturday’s elections.
She said voters stood in long queues in a dignified way.
“The SEOM takes this opportunity to assure the people of Lesotho of SADC’s commitment to walk with them in search of a lasting and sustainable peace.”
Nkoana-Mashabane noted that Lesotho had been scheduled to hold elections in 2017, but due to problems in the coalition government that led to the deterioration of the political and security situation, SADC had facilitated a process to find political and security stability.
On February 18, the SEOM was launched and 82 observers from 11 SADC member states were deployed to Lesotho’s 10 districts.
“The SEOM observed that the pre-election phase was characterised by a generally calm and peaceful political atmosphere,” she said. “Political rallies were peaceful and there were no violent incidents observed.”
Yesterday, German press agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that Prime Minister Thomas Thabane appeared to be heading for victory in the elections, winning 38 out of 60 constituencies where all the votes had been counted.
The main opposition party Democratic Congress, led by former prime minister Pakalitha Mosisili, was running second, winning 20 constituencies.
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy, led by Thabane’s deputy Mothetjoa Metsing, came third with two constituencies.
By yesterday, votes needed to be counted in 20 constituencies.
It was expected that no party would get enough votes to govern alone and that Lesotho would get another coalition government. – Sapa
‘Rallies were peaceful and no violence was seen’