Lesotho: Electoral reform in Lesotho
Vicky da Silva, February 2001
Fractious debate about the electoral system in Lesotho continues to cast doubt over the prospects of elections proposed for May 2001. With the Lesotho Parliament set to be dissolved in February, political authorities are under pressure to resolve many enduring issues. However, the Interim Political Authority (IPA) and the government have been locked in a number of longstanding disputes with regard to the preparations for the 2001 elections, despite the co-signing of a statement that the election would occur approximately one year from 15 May 2000.
The co-chairperson of the IPA, Mr Bereng Sekhonyana, expressed dissatisfaction in working with the government. He said: "They [the government] want to hold the elections in their own terms and they have forgotten that we are the negotiating forum. It is now difficult to trust that the government is genuine about its commitment towards the holding of free, fair and transparent elections, as their track record does not reflect that spirit" (All Africa 2000a). Moreover, he stated that as far as the IPA was concerned, there would not be elections in May 2001, as the registration of voters has not yet begun. The law on the registration of voters, that was expected to be settled in July 2000, has not yet been passed. The bill on elections was tabled in Parliament on 21 September 2000 but it was not discussed owing to the adjournment of the National Assembly on 27 September 2001. The IPA has accused Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili of deliberately delaying the elections. However, Mosisili claims it is the IPA that wants the elections delayed until 2003.
One of the issues of dispute between the government and the IPA is the use of Finger Print Technology (FPT) in the registration of electors. The government is opposed to FPT and is instead opting for the cheaper scanning and indelible ink system of registration. Ms Mamello Morrison, the Lesotho Education Trust (LEP) IPA member, has claimed that the IEC has received M59 million (US$8 million) and thus has sufficient funds for the FPT system. Hence, she has accused the government of delaying the elections intentionally in an attempt to force the IPA to accept a less accurate registration system, which she perceives to be a ploy by the government to enable the registration of illegal or "ghost" voters (All Africa 2000b). The Minister of Law and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Shakhane Mokhehle, said that the IPA's insistence on adopting FPT for the registration of electors, as well as altering the size and composition of the National Assembly has created a major hurdle in the planning of the general elections (All Africa 2000b).
Background to the 2001 Elections
The difficulties experienced by the Lesotho authorities in declaring a date for the upcoming elections are a by-product of Lesotho's turbulent electoral history.
The Basutoland National Party (BNP) claimed victory in the 1970 election, and annulled the electoral process, suspended the constitution and judiciary, and sent King Moshoeshoe II into exile. Lesotho experienced 16 years of one-party rule, and a further seven years of a military dictatorship, before democratic elections were once again held only in 1993. The 1993 election results were also challenged and the Basutoland Congress Party's (BCP) five-year term of office was characterised by political turmoil. King Letsie III temporarily dissolved the elected government in 1994, backing a palace coup to reinstate his father as king. In June 1997, the BCP split and the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) emerged with the Prime Minister as its leader. The LCD displaced the BCP in Parliament and assumed power.