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ZESN observes Lesotho National Assembly 2012 elections
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
May 31, 2012

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network sent a technical electoral observation team to observe the 2012 National Assembly Elections held in Lesotho on the 26th of May 2012.The six day observation mission was carried out from 22 to 27 May 2012. The major focus of the technical team was to carry out pre and polling observation activities that included visiting and meeting with other observer groups and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to discuss deployment and operational strategies, to carry out interviews with Political parties and local Non-Governmental organisations that were also observing and monitoring the conduct of the National Assembly Elections.

Highlights of the Mission and Lessons learnt

• The country gained independence from Great Britain in 1966 and adopted not only a constitutional monarchy, but a First-Past-The Post (FPTP) electoral system.
• Lesotho employs the direct popular voting system and a mixed member proportional representation (MMP) system introduced in January 2002 owing to a number of problems that were attended with FPTP hence the deliberate shift to have a system that provides for two combined electoral systems, namely the first past the post (FPTP) system with a proportional representation (PR) system.
• Voter registration is compulsory because the voter registration cards are also used as an identity document together with the passport, one cannot get employment unless are they are registered voters.
• Introduction of the first ever mobile registration centres managed to get many youths registered, joint campaigns (IEC and partners). This was complimented by massive advertising in the print and electronic media, commuter omnibuses and other public transport.
• The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Lesotho works closely with NGOs to conduct voter education since it does not have the human resources capacity to conduct voter education. Thus the IEC disburses funds to civil society to conduct the outreach activities while their role as the IEC is to coordinate and monitor the NGOs.
• Civic society advocacy programmes and dialogues have helped in facilitating electoral reforms. The Military in Lesotho plays a very crucial role of protecting citizens and it has no major role in the electoral processes.
• On Election Day generally the environment was peaceful and conducive for voting, with high visibility of political party agents as they ranged from ten to fifteen at each of the voting streams.
• In all polling stations visited there was a remarkable representation of women who were polling managers (presiding officers) as well as being party agents.
• In terms of deployment the international observer missions were coordinated by the UNDP in order to ensure total coverage of the whole country, a website was formed for purposes of coordination and information sharing.
• Chiefs also played a role in the voting process by confirming registered voters who had lost their voter registration cards to enable them to vote.
• Secrecy of the ballot was maintained polling booths were placed facing the direction facing the opposite the party agents and polling officers.
• Closing and counting procedures were remarkable as observers and party agents observed the process.

Recommendations

The team however recommends the need for cleaning up of the voters' roll so that it is up to date. In addition, ballot papers should not have counter foils in order to safeguard the secrecy of the vote and an undertaking should be made to encourage political parties to increase women as contestants.

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