Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
g . Inherited monarchy
Comments:
There shall be a King of Lesotho who shall be a constitutional monarch and 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: Constitution of Lesotho, art. 44, 45 & 91
Verified:
2017/07/19
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
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: Constitution of Lesotho, art. 87
Verified:
2017/07/19
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source:
Constitution: Constitution of Lesotho, art. 44, 45 & 91
Verified:
2017/07/19
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments:
Parliament consists of two houses, the National Assembly and the Senate.
Source:
Constitution: Constitution of Lesotho, art. 54
Verified:
2017/07/19
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
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: Constitution of Lesotho, art. 56-57 & 67
Verified:
2017/07/19
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