Activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rothe Elections
LDP observed the which were held in July 2008.

The elections were held after the death of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy member Ishmael Molebatsi Makhebesela who died in March 29 at the age of 46.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy swept the Rothe by elections with a landslide majority bringing their tally in Parliament to 62. They polled 2407 beating the All Basotho Convention into second place with 1604.

Six candidates contested the election, four representing political parties, namely, the LCD (2407), ABC (1604), BNP (80), BCP (56) and two independents (one 94 and the other 22). The results announced by the returning officer which await the official confirmation by the Independent Electoral Commission in a live broadcast on Radio Lesotho Monday.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy has won the Rothe consituency since 1998. Before that the Basotho Congress Party won it in their first participation in the electoral process in Lesotho in 1993 after returning from exile. In 1993 the BCP swept the slate clean winning all the 80 constituencies in the country. This feat was nearly repeated by the LCD when it won 79 of the 80 seats contested.

Public Hearings

In July,LDP held a number of public hearings, public debates and meetings in Leribe, Butha-Buthe and Mohale’s hoek. The objective of the public hearings was to

• Educate the constituents about how parliament functions, share information about the Parliamentary Reform Process (PRC), educate the constituents about the duties, roles and responsibilities of the MPs and how effectively the constituents are expected to participate on parliamentary affairs. And last but not least to educate the constituents about the work of the constituency offices because in most cases people do not know exactly about the founding purpose of these offices.
• Educate constituents about Laws passed by parliament with the intention of getting their respective views on each and further enhance public participation with Basotho.
• To promote parliamentary engagement with Basotho by providing information on parliament and laws passed by parliament and laws of Lesotho.

These public hearing were held in Ha-Khabo, Kota and Kotanyana, Maphutseng, Morifi, Khoelenyane Moreneng and Holy Cross.

The public debates aimed at:

• Improving a record of parliamentary engagement with Basotho including constituency feedback on parliament and constituency clinics.
• To promote parliamentary engagement with Basotho by providing information on parliament and laws passed by parliament and laws of Lesotho
• To continue to educate constituents about Laws passed by parliament with the intention of getting their respective views on each and further enhance public participation with Basotho.
• To promote public participation in parliamentary activities.

LDP enhanced public policy engagement and promoted awareness on Acts passed by Parliament namely: Legal Capacity of Married Persons 2006 and Sexual Offences Act 2003. These Laws were debated and public opinion captured.

These were held in Tsehlanyane, Menkhoaneng, Ha- Majara and St- John.

LDP managed to host public gatherings with Parliamentarians and had a major impact as constituents who were oblivious of Acts and Parliament being debated. Constituents and the MP were encouraged to participate in parliamentary activities to build confidence and trust amongst them.

Chiefs were empowered and guided on how to work together with Courts of Law to solve criminal offences.

<<< Back