Lesotho
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission is responsible for constituency demarcation. Demarcation is reviewed every 5-10 years.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66A(1)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:08:56 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
b. Respecting natural barriers
c. Compactness of constituencies
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
e. Geographic size of district
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 67
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:07:05 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Dr. Khabele Matlosa
b. Job Title: Senior Advisor-Research
c. Organisation: EISA
d. Contact Address. 14 Park Road, Richmond, Johannesburg, South Africa
e. Telephone: 0027-11-4825495
f. Facsimile: 0027-11-4826163
g. Email: khabele@eisa.org.za
Last updated: 2006-10-16 15:03:57 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
Source: The Constitution of Lesotho, Chapter VII
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:16:42 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:58:40 UTC
DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:18:11 UTC
DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:48:43 UTC
DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:48:43 UTC
DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:48:52 UTC
DD08 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for mandatory referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
Comments: The administration of the referendum is the resposibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Source: The Constitution of Lesotho, the 2001 Electoral Act
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:53:35 UTC
DD09 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for optional referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:55:09 UTC
DD10 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:55:09 UTC
DD106 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a referendum?
a. Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms
Comments: The IEC is responsible for voter and civic education. However, it does collaborate with various NGOs in discharging this mandate, particularly the Lesotho Council for Non-Governmental Organisations (LCN).
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:37:12 UTC
DD107 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in an initiative?
g. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD108 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a recall?
g. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD109 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a referendum?
a. Information booklets
b. Leaflets and pamphlets
c. Radio broadcasts
d. TV broadcasts
e. Press advertisements
f. Website
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD11 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for agenda initiatives at the national level?
Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:55:09 UTC
DD110 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for an initiative?
i. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD111 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a recall?
i. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD112 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a referendum?
g. None
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:41:08 UTC
DD113 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in an initiative?
h. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD114 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a recall?
h. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD115 What is the period during which these controls apply for a referendum?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD116 What is the period during which these controls apply for an initiative?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD117 What is the period during which these controls apply for a recall?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD118 Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for a referendum? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
d. No campaign organisations
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD119 Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for an initiative? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
f. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD12 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:55:09 UTC
DD120 Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for a recall? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
f. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD121 Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for a referendum?
Specify in the “Comments” section below.
f. None
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD122 Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for an initiative?
Specify in the “Comments” section below.
g. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD123 Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for a recall?
Specify in the “Comments” section below.
g. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:43:00 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1966
Last updated: 2006-10-16 09:55:09 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1966
Comments: This administrative arrangement has changed with the establishment of the IEC in the late 1990s.
Source: The 2001 Electoral Act
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:45:31 UTC
DD15 Who is responsible for managing the administration of direct democracy mechanisms at the national level?
b. Independent electoral commission
Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Source: The 2001 Electoral Act
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:48:28 UTC
DD16 Does this agency/department also manage the administration of national elections?
a. Yes
Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Source: The 2001 Electoral Act
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:48:28 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:56:24 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:58:40 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:58:40 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 11:59:35 UTC
DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD25 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: In Lesotho, a referendum can only take place at a national level and not provincial or district levels. This is partly because Lesotho is not a federal state with relatively autonomous regions/provinces/states.
Source: The 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:03:58 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
Comments: Amending the entrenched clauses of the constitution may require a referendum.
Source: Chapter VII of the 1993 Constitution
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:05:26 UTC
DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
i. Other public policy issues
Source: The 1993 Constitution, Chapter VII
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:11:07 UTC
DD30 Which issues, if any, maybe the subject of sub-national referendums regulated at the national level?
f. Not applicable
Comments: No forms of direct democracy at sub-national level.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:13:16 UTC
DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
a. Government
c. President
Source: The 1993 Constitution, Chapter VII
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:18:42 UTC
DD32 Who is responsible for drafting the mandatory referendum question?
b. Independent electoral commission
Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Source: The 2001 Electoral Act
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:18:42 UTC
DD33 Who is responsible for drafting the optional referendum question?
g. Not applicable
Comments: There are no provisions for optional referendums in Lesotho.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:18:42 UTC
DD34 Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the mandatory referendum question?
a. The title of the proposal
b. The numbers of the articles or paragraphs of the legal instruments to which changes are proposed
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:18:42 UTC
DD35 Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the optional referendum question?
f. Not applicable
Comments: There are no provisions for optional referendums in Lesotho.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:19:48 UTC
DD36 Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for mandatory referendums?
b. Independent electoral commission
Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:21:41 UTC
DD37 Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for optional referendums?
f. Not applicable
Comments: There are no provisions for optional referendums in Lesotho.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:21:41 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
a. Turnout quorum x
Last updated: 2006-10-16 19:28:59 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
d. Not applicable x
Comments: There are no provisions for optional referendums in Lesotho.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 19:34:32 UTC
DD40 What are the requirements for mandatory referendums to pass?
a. Simple majority (>50%)
Last updated: 2006-10-16 12:21:41 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Independent Electoral Commission
b. Full Address PO Box 12698, Kingsway 100, ( 7th Floor Moposo House) Maseru, Lesotho
c. Telephone +266 314 991
d. Facsimile +266 310 398
e. Email Hantsi@iec.org.ls
f. Website Address http://www.iec.org.ls/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Leshele Thoahlane
h. Information Officer Tuoe Hants’I
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Sesotho, English
Source: IEC 2007 "THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION", [www] http://www.iec.org.ls/commission/default.php; IEC 2007 "THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION - CONTACTS", [www] http://www.iec.org.ls/home/contacts.php.
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:35:28 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66A(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-28 10:27:56 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
Comments: The IEC receives funding from Parliamentary appropriations.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66D.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:01:08 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
Source: Mokhochane Mphasa, Deputy Director, Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho, mokhochane@iec.org.is
Last updated: 2007-09-28 10:30:42 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: b. For a 6 year term renewable once.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66(7).
Last updated: 2007-09-28 10:32:15 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
a. estimated total: 12125000
b. Exchange rate used 8.00R=1.00$
Comments: 12 125 000 USD (1 USD = 8 R)
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:35:28 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 874000
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:35:28 UTC
EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?
a. USD/registered voter 13.90
b. Exchange rate used 8.00R=1.00US$
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:53:31 UTC
EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?
a. Voter registration and preparation of voter lists 53%
b. Election Management Body administration 15%
c. Staff/Equipment/Supplies 0,08%
d. Security 0,4%
e. Official funding of parties and candidates 0%
f. Voter education 25%
g. Materials/systems for and operation of voting stations and ballot counts 10%
h. Challenges, dispute resolution and legal costs 0,2%
i. Polling operations 20%
j. Vote tabulation 0,02%
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:53:31 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
g. Inherited monarchy
Comments: The King is Head of State.The King is chosen by the College of Chiefs, in accordance with the customary law of Lesotho but is generally obliged to act on the advice of the Cabinet or the Council of State.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Articles 44, 45, 91.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:20:56 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
e. Appointed
Comments: The Government is headed by the Prime Minister who is appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State and must enjoy the support of the majority of the National Assembly.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 88(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:24:32 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
b. No
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Articles 44, 45, 88(1),91.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:34:46 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers
Comments: Parliament consists of two houses, the National Assembly and the Senate.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 54, 55, 67, 83(2).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:47:36 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
h. Mixed Member Proportional
Comments: The National Assembly has 120 seats. Its members are elected by direct popular vote using the mixed member proportional(MMP) system - 80 in single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system and 40 from one national constituency using party-list proportional representation. Proportion representation seats are allocated so as to compensate parties for the discrepancy between percentage votes obtained and percentage constituency seats won
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 54, 67, 83(2)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:47:36 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable Na
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:20:56 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The key legislative items are: Constitution of Lesotho 1993. National Assembly Elections Order 1992.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Articles 66-66D.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 09:35:25 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66A(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:16 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:43:07 UTC
LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB
c. Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: The IEC appoints a tribunal to hear and rule on complaints. Election petitions against IEC decisions are heard by the Electoral Court during elections or the High Court at other times; no appeals may be made against it's decisions.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 69, 126A, 126B.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:48:11 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
g. Other (specify)
Comments: The IEC must allocate time on government owned broadcast media during which political parties and candidates may be allowed to speak or appear and must determine the allocation of time to each party. The law does not specify the basis on which allocation is to be made. Parties are prohibited from taking out paid advertisements in government owned media.
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 47K(2),(4)
Last updated: 2007-10-01 08:45:03 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: No limits are placed on the amounts candidates or parties may receive or spend.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
c. No
Source: Dr Khabele Matlosa, Head of Research, EISA; 1 Oct 2007.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 08:50:00 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:49:31 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
e. Minimum number of candidates
f. Other
Comments: a. 500 members who are registered voters, with names, addresses and constituency registration details. f. Parties must pay an application fee (amount not specified in law), particulars of assets, liabilities and bank accounts, account details for a transaction bank account
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 35(3)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 14:16:43 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: The Senate is made up of 22 principal Chiefs and 11 members appointed by the King with advice from the Prime Minister.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 55.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 12:38:48 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
i. Minimum level of literacy
Comments: i. Unless the person is blind or incapacitated, they must be able to read and write in Sesotho or English well enough to take part in National Assembly proceedings.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 58
Last updated: 2007-09-28 14:13:21 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
i. Minimum level of literacy
j. Other
Comments: i. Nominated members, unless blind or incapacitated, must be able to read and write in Sesotho or English well enough to take part in Senate proceedings. j. The Senate is made up of 22 hereditary Principal Chiefs and 11 Senators nominated by the King on the advice of the Council of State
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 58(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-28 14:16:43 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Independent candidates can compete for 80 seats which are allocated by first past the post system, the other 40 seats are allocated by proportional representation and for these seats only political parties can compete.
Source: Mphasa, Mokhochane, Deputy Director, Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho, mokhochane(a)iec.org.is, interview in Stockholm 29/6-01
Last updated: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 08:17:14 GMT
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
Comments: There are no laws requiring or governing public funding of political parties. Small and equal amounts of public funding is made available to all registered parties for election campaigning.
Source: EISA 2006 "Lesotho: Political party funding", [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/lesparties2.htm.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 11:29:08 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
d. Based on number of candidates put forward in present election
Comments: Half the funds are allocated to all registered parties and shared equally amongst them. The other half is distributed to each party in proportion to the number of candidates fielded.
Source: EISA 2006 "Lesotho: Political party funding", [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/lesparties2.htm.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 11:29:57 UTC
PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes
Comments: Parties are permitted to receive funds from outside Lesotho for the conducting of election campaigns from any organisation or person; the only requirements are that funds over M20 000 be disclosed to the IEC and that the funds be paid into the party's declared campaign transaction bank account.
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 47N.
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:25:01 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Comments: The counting of the vote by the Presiding Officer proceeds directly after the closing of polls in the presence of candidates, their election agents and party agents.
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 83(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 13:34:42 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
Comments: The IEC appoints a tribunal to hear and rule on complaints. Election petitions against IEC decisions are heard by the Electoral Court during elections or the High Court at other times; no appeals may be made against it's decisions. Petitions must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the election period and the petition must be heard within 30 days of lodging.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 69, 126A, 126B; National Assembly Election Order 1992, 4(kd), 7, 102(a), 104(4)(a).
Last updated: 2007-09-27 13:55:03 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments: Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) tasked by law to "promote knowledge of sound democratic electoral processes".
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 66A. National Assembly Election Order 1992, 4(c)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:14:50 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 66A; National Assembly Election Order 1992, 4(c).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:40:10 UTC
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
Comments: The IEC is tasked by law to "promote knowledge of sound democratic electoral processes"
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 66A; National Assembly Election Order 1992, 4(c).
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:41:40 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
f. By mail
Comments: f. Diplomatic staff and dependents, election officials, security force members on duty, candidates and their agents.
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 61(1), 76
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:33:20 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
f. Diplomatic staff
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 61(1)(a)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:34:32 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies
b. Consulates
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 9G
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:35:53 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: 500
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:33:20 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: National Assembly Election Order 1992, 79(5)(b)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:38:47 UTC
VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: 5
b. The largest polling station: 5
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:33:20 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: Registration of young voters (to be 18 between the end of the ordinary registration period and the election day).
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 67(2)(b)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:25:32 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
d. Naturalization
e. Other
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, 57(2)
Last updated: 2007-09-28 13:25:32 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: d. Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho.
Source: Constitution of Lesotho 1993, Article 66A(1); National Assembly Election Order 1992, 9D(3).
Last updated: 2007-09-28 11:08:44 UTC
20/05/2008 07:19
