The 2012 General Elections in Lesotho: A Step Towards the Consolidation of Democracy

The May 2012 general elections in Lesotho were held in the best political climate since democracy returned to the country in 1993. Even the minor disputes that surfaced were resolved speedily before they could graduate into serious election-related conflict. The elections were historic in that the results were not disputed. In addition, for the first time in the country’s history the elections failed to produce a clear winner, hence the formation of a coalition government. The elections also resulted in a change of leadership, bringing to an end Pakalitha Mosisili’s 14-year rule. The article contends that the peaceful conduct of the elections was the result of the amendments made to the country’s electoral laws and the preparedness of the Independent Electoral Commission. It goes further to show how the Democratic Congress, the party with a relative majority of parliamentary seats, came to be omitted from the coalition government and was relegated to the opposition. All these, the article argues, are positive developments in the country’s move towards democratic consolidation.

File Type: pdf
Categories: Journal of African Elections
Tags: Basotho National Party (BNP), Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), May 2012 elections, National Independent Party (NIP). Democratic Congress (DC)
journal of african elections vol12 number 1 transparent democratic governance in africa