Lesotho: Parties registered for 2007 election
Updated March 2007
Parties that won seats in the National Assembly
Alliance, coalitions and parties are ordered by number of seats obtained in the previous (2007) National Assembly election.
| Alliance/Coalition | Party | Leader | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| The LCD fielded constituency candidates while the NIP submitted party lists | Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) | Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili Dr Ntsu Mokhehle (d 1999) |
7 July 1997 |
| National Independent Party (NIP) | Anthony C Manyeli | 1985 | |
| The ABC fielded constituency candidates while the LWP submitted party lists | All Basotho Convention (ABC) | Thomas Thabane | 29 October 2006 |
| Lesotho Workers Party (LWP) | Billy Macaefa | 2001 | |
| Basotho National Party (BNP) Formerly Basutoland National Party |
Major General Justin Metsing Lekhanya Evaristus Sekhonyana (d 1998) Chief Leabua Jonathan (d 1987) |
1957 | |
| Alliance of Congress Parties (ACP) | Basutoland African Congress (BAC) | Khauhelo Ralitapole Matlejane Molapo Qhobela |
2002 |
| Lesotho People's Congress (LPC) | Kelebone Maope | 12 October 2001 | |
| Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) Previously: United Fatherland Front (UFF) |
Lekheto Rakuoane | 1984 | |
| Basotho Congress Party (BCP) Formerly: Basutoland Congress Party and Basutoland African Congress |
Sekoala Toloane Ntsukunyane Mphanya T'seliso Makhakhe (retired) Matlejane Molapo Qhobela Dr Ntsu Mokhehle (Quit to form LCD) |
1952 | |
| Marema-Tlou Freedom Party (MFP) | Vincent Moeketse Malebo Seth Makotoko |
1961 | |
| Basotho Democratic National Party (BDNP) | Thabang Nyeoe | 30 November 2006 | |
| Basotho Batho Democratic Party | 2006 |
Parties that contested without winning seats
Parties arranged by date of founding and alphabetically.
| Kopanang Basotho Party (KBP) | NP Mosala Limakatso Ntakatsane (d 2002) |
1992 |
| Lesotho Education Party (LEP) Sometimes: Lesotho Educational Party |
Thabo Pitso | c1993 |
| United Party (UP) | Makara Sekautu | c1993 |
| New Lesotho Freedom Party (NLFP) | Manapo Majara P Khoabane |
1999 |
Sources
GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO UNDATED "Political Parties" IN Politics, [www] http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/lspolitics.htm (page off-line 23 Oct 2007).
INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION 2006 "Contacts of Registered Parties", Facsimile May 24.
EISA 2006 Parties contesting the 2007 National Assembly election.
KABEMBA, C (ed) 2004 From Military Rule to Multiparty Democracy: Political Reforms and Challenges in Lesotho [PDF document], EISA No 2, 21.
LEFTIST PARTIES OF THE WORLD 2005 "Lesotho", [www] http://www.broadleft.org/ls.htm [opens new window] (accessed 23 Oct 2007).
LETUKA, P, MAPETLA, M & MATASHANE-MARITE, K 2004 "Gender and Elections in Lesotho: Perspectives on the 2002 elections" [PDF document], EISA Research Report No 4.
MATLOSA, K & SELLO, C 2005, Political Parties and Democratisation in Lesotho [PDF document], EISA Research Report No 23.
MURISON, K (ed) 2001, Africa South of the Sahara 2002, Europa Publications, 536.