Lesotho: Electoral reform in Lesotho (continued)

The 1998 Election

On 23 May 1998, Lesotho held its second general elections since the country's return to democracy in 1993. Despite some administrative hurdles including delays in delivery of election material, especially in the Highlands constituencies, the polling process was seemingly orderly and well managed. Why then did violent conflicts and protests erupt that resulted in a state of emergency?

The 1998 electoral outcome was an overwhelming victory for the LCD. The LCD won 60.7 percent and the BNP won 24.5 percent of the vote. However, owing to the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system the LCD claimed 79 seats and the BNP won only one seat in Parliament.

The results were contested. The opposition parties accused the government of rigging the poll. They claimed that the election was fraught with serious irregularities, such as the:

  • Total number of voters was less than the sum total of announced results;
  • Unusual distribution of dates of birth on the voters' lists;
  • Marginalisation of opposition parties by the IEC;
  • Printing of extra ballot papers;
  • Use of members of the military intelligence to transport electoral materials from Maseru to the districts without those officers having been seconded to the IEC as required by law;
  • Director of Elections being fired shortly before the elections, allegedly owing to his unwillingness to condone the irregularities;
  • Electoral material found abandoned;
  • Close relationship between the government and the IEC;
  • Unsigned voters lists;
  • A45 forms from the Qaqatu constituency filled out in the same handwriting;
  • Double registration in at least six constituencies; and
  • Use of temporary ink that was easily removed.

Protests, demonstrations and a situation of unrest occurred that resulted in the deployment of over 3 500 Botswana and South African troops on 22 September 1998. However, the military intervention caused further unrest and Lesotho's capital, Maseru, was left largely in ruins by looters and arsonists. Lesotho's government had requested the intervention during a revolt by junior Lesotho military officers and strikers that caused over US$200 million in damage. The mutineers were allied to the opposition parties in support of their protest against the alleged rigging of the polls. Mr Molap Qhobela, leader of the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), predicted that the intervention would not solve the electoral problems of Lesotho. He stated that the South Africans were an "invading army of aggression" and that "as soon as they go we will be back to square one" (CNN 1998).

Despite criticism of the military intervention, a negotiation process was brokered by South Africa, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The then Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki, met with representatives of the LCD and three opposition parties: the BNP, the BCP and the Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP). An investigation into the allegations was launched. A recount of 66 constituencies was conducted from 29 August to 1 September 1998.

The ensuing Langa Commission Report stated that it did not find the fraud allegations credible and, therefore did not request the holding of fresh elections. The report did, however, document a number of administrative errors, and called for the establishment of the IPA.

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