Lesotho: Excerpts from observer mission statements 2002

Updated June, 2002.

OAU Observer Team
"...in general, the elections were held in a transparent and credible environment, which enabled the Basotho to exercise their democratic right in dignity."

SADC Parliamentary Forum Election Observer Mission
"...the election was peaceful, free, fair and transparent; it is thus a true reflection of the will of the people of Lesotho. Indeed this largely conforms to the SADC Parliamentary Forum Norms and Standards for elections in the SADC region."

Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries
"...the criteria of secrecy, transparency, fairness and freeness were met during the poll and the count."

SADC Extended Troika Observer Mission
"...the elections were transparent, free, fair, peaceful, orderly and, therefore, reflecting the will of the people."

Commonwealth Observer Group
"...up to the time of the close of polls the election was, despite some administrative and logistical problems, conducted in a manner that provided the people of Lesotho with the opportunity to vote freely for the candidates of their choice."

Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations Observer Mission
"...the Lesotho elections held on the 25th May 2002 have been peaceful and the voting environment very conducive for every Mosotho, despite the weaknesses indicated in logistics and training."

United Nations Electoral Assistance Secretariat (UNEAS)
"...the polling on May 25 2002 and the extended polling on May 26 2002 were free, fair, peaceful, lawful and transparent."