Fairness Disputed in Lesotho’s Parliamentary Elections
Ruling Party Extends Lead in Lesotho General Election Count
The Associated Press
February 20, 2007
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The February 17th elections in Lesotho have sent the country’s ruling party, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), back to parliament with a majority of seats: 61 out of a possible 80.  Parliament was dissolved in November after a significant split in the LCD left it with only a slim majority.  Although Lesotho has been criticized for being a one-party state, John Chiligadi, the head of the Southern African Development Community’s observer mission, lauded the conduct of the candidates and the election process and believes that “the people of Lesotho have expressed their will,” with only “a few minor hitches.” (AP http://www.dailynews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3689866) However, the opposition claims that the campaign process was bias towards the long-standing LCD party.

In October, Cabinet Minister Thomas Thabane left the LCD with 18 other former-LCD parliamentarians and formed the All Basotho Convention (ABC).  Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili of the LCD party, which has been in power for 10 years, advised King Letsie III to dissolve parliament and hold new elections.  Some political observers declared the move to hold new elections so quickly after the formation of a new party was “a way of limiting the ABC’s and Mr. Thabane’s powers, as his new party will have little time to organize and raise funds before the 17 February polls.” (Afrol news http://www.afrol.com/articles/23107). According to the Lesotho constitution, an election must be held within 90 days of parliament’s dissolution.

While observers agree that the election result reflects the will of the people, the fairness of the campaign process is being disputed.  Khabele Matiosa, senior advisor at the Electoral Institute of South Africa in Johannesburg, monitored the election and said that because the elections were organized so quickly “a lot of issues remain contentious.  These include complaints by the opposition about the registration process, access to the state media, party funding, payments of party agents and the timing of elections.  The opposition also raised allegations of vote buying by the ruling party and the use of government vehicles to ferry voters.” (IPS http://www.africa-interactive.net/index.php?PageID=3350)

After a turbulent history with elections, coups, and violent protests, Lesotho has only been considered a democracy since 2002.  Although previously considered a one-party state, some observers, such as Matiosa, now believe the country has a sizeable opposition that can help push for reform and modernization. (IPS http://www.africa-interactive.net/index.php?PageID=3350)

Questions:

CCD is interested in the opinion of our readers, especially on unfolding events in our field.  The fairness of Lesotho’s recent elections has been challenged. What do you think this means for the nascent democracy?

1. If a country’s campaign process is not fair, can the election results of an otherwise free election be considered legitimate?
2. Was Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s move to dissolve parliament while the ABC was weak an undemocratic political ploy? Does this make the election results illegitimate?
3. Do you think the ABC can utilize its placement of minority opposition in parliament to not only strengthen democracy in Lesotho but also help enact modernizing legislation?