Activities
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In October 2008 LDP held several public hearings at Fobane, Mathokoane and Ramoruti. The objective of the hearings was to : improve a record of parliamentary engagement with Basotho including constituency feedback on parliament, to continue to educate constituents about parliament, its roles and MP’s roles and promotion of public participation and to promote public engagement in parliament activities.

At Ha-Ramoruti, the LDP and Human Rights Officers held a public hearing on parliament roles and MPs’ roles. It become apparent that most constituents have little or no knowledge of what parliament is, there is lack of understanding of the levels of government, constituents are unaware of the Constitution of Lesotho with emphasis on basic rights, ceremonial powers of His Majesty the King, formation of State Council and why do they vote.

There is therefore, a need to balance and strengthen a dynamic relationship between elected representative and their constituentsby constant interaction and clear communication of governance issues.

However, such engagement depends on the capacity and availability of resources to the concerned, which is a major constraint in Lesotho. Furthermore, the elected representatives should also act in the interest, confidence and good of the constituents. MPs should also be able serve constituents equally and not only those who affiliate with their political parties.

Parties should be seen to be strong and efficient in regional and local structures so as they may provide a link between individual constituents and communities with their elected representatives. Party structures can be used to ensure that the locals filter up through the system of public participation as well as providing linkages and provision and distribution of information on the ground. Constituents should know who, how and where to contact their elected representatives for developmental needs and overall concerns.

Because LDP enhances public policy engagement and improves relations between Membersand constituents it cannot be overemphasised the importance of MPs/constituents relations in parliamentary affairs, as in democratic governments/legislatures routinely consult, interact and exchange views and information access with the public; so that citizens can express their preferences and provide their support for decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.

Basotho need work together with elected representatives on an on-going basis to strengthen the relationship between legislators and constituents and increases the possibility of legislators acting on their behalf.

Culture of Member/constituent relations in Lesotho, it seems is still far fetched and needs strengthening so as contribution to democracy is effectively done through connection with the people to their government, and by providing real life assessment of how government programs are actually working on the ground and in real life situations. Performance of parliament should also be considered in enhancing public engagement in issues of parliament; and improved relations between parliament and civil society needs to be organised coherently. However, in most constituencies, LDP found events contradictory to the above statement. There are little/no constituency clinics, no reporting back parliamentary affairs, no relations between constituents and their MPs; constituents have lost trust and confidence in their legislators who only come to re-seek their vote during election. The issue of recallability, which should be included in the Constitution of Lesotho, was a plea of many constituents as their dissatisfaction was evident; emphasis was on party members who must have a right to recall their elected representative back to constituency to hold them to account or candidates be de-selected and by-election be held. Nonetheless, legislators with strong ties to constituents are more likely to be re-elected and advance in political careers. In this scenario, constituents benefit by having their views and concerns heard in policy-making process or by having an advocate in the legislature who can act on their behalf when government programs adversely affect them. A major challenge in Lesotho though is why constituents keep on re-electing legislators to parliament while they do not deliver to constituents as mandated? LDP in collaboration with other programmes at TRC should intensify civic education to educate public on issues affecting them so that they can know their constitutional rights thus make informed and right decisions.

At Mathokoane, LDP and Human Rights Officers deliberated on Parliament, roles of MPs and parliamentary procedures. LDP seeks to educate constituents about parliament, MPs and MP relations with constituents; it was evident that most/all constituents lack understanding of the reason they vote in elections as reiterated in the previous paragraphs in democratic dispensation, what are functions of legislature, legislators and constituents for better service provision and trust in between the three.

There seem to be a huge clash of interests for legislators as they develop ties with constituents, need to satisfy constituents may encourage a member to break with party leaders over policies that hurt his constituency, and may also encourage stricter oversight and criticism of executive actions; which in most cases threatens the position of legislators within the party, which still expects loyalty from the member and to respect party line and caucuses; a major challenge faced by many MPs in Lesotho. In this ward, constituents expect legislators to be responsive to their needs if they want to remain in office. The only remedy would be constituents should have a bigger say of who to elect without imposture of political party leadership; and member re-election should depend on to a greater extent to his relations with his/her constituents.

However, in Lesotho constituents tend to be involved in serving political patriots (personality cult) and idolise certain individuals without looking at what is mandated and expected of legislators, as a result re-elect an incompetent MPs who sits in parliament without participating in asking questions of constituents’ concern to cabinet, moving any motion or be involved in law making processes. Further fail to hold/have meetings with constituents and give them feedback on bills debated in parliament, ministerial statements, committee reports and legislative voting in parliament which are unknown to constituents.

Unfortunately constituents believe in certain parties regardless of its weaknesses sadly a party which has been dominating for far too long becomes unresponsive to constituents as it fails to deliver its promises. To rectify the current situation LDP has formed community lobby groups which play a pivotal role of linking the MP and parliament with constituents and deliberate on issues of importance which affect constituents directly. The roles of MPs and councils are still not clearly stipulated hence the confusion of who allocate funds and who utilise the funds for constituency developments. Constituents requested that speedy re-evaluation of both MPs and councillors roles so that constituents can which sector to approach whenever they encounter problems. A clear mandate should be stipulated both Local Government Act and Standing Orders which would compel the two tiers of government for better service delivery and developments within constituencies.

The use of constituency office is still a major challenge as constituents still believe that only supporters of the party that won election in constituency level should utilise it, contrary to the fact that it should serve every constituents in non-partisan manner and be proper linkage between constituents, MPs and government for attention and follow up of constituents’ concern either at local and national level. LDP advised that constituents should attend Pitsos for education and enlightenment in parliamentary and government issues.

At Fobane LDP found there gradual decline in MPs/constituents social contact between them and their elected representative though parliament reforms stipulate otherwise. There is a need to engage citizens in decisions that affect their lives which is beneficial for good governance, however because they are not engaged there is apparent decreasing voter turnout in elections whether national or local. Constituents expectations currently have changed, they want to be heard in decision making affecting them. Most wanted to know how public funds are spent and what society is getting in return; which means citizens are calling for greater transparency and accountability from their governance institutions. However, the MP for Peka constituency it was stated that he frequents the village and is involved in re-establishment of community committees. Unlike former MPs constituents believe his presence in the constituency would build trust between him and constituents as they would know what is happening in government and parliament. The MP would have their interest at heart by debating and scrutinising better laws, policies and programmes with values and aspirations of citizens. Effective member of parliament-constituent relationships contribute to democracy by strengthening the people’s connection to their parliament and by providing real life assessment for how programs are actually working in the grassroots.

Constituent needed clarification on relation between civil society and parliament and what they could gain from LDP public hearings other than information provision and distribution. Civil Society Organisations provide an effective gauge of public opinion to elected representatives, they are source of expertise and knowledge of local communities but also to be a link between constituents and MPs whom they are not in contact with often. A strong partnership between parliaments and civil society is therefore necessary to ensure that adopted legislation correspond to the will of the people and more specifically to those constituents that are directly impacted. Measures should be taken to educate civil society on their role and responsibilities and to provide them with information on the parliament’s activities. Strengthened interaction between civil society and parliament result in improved responsiveness to citizens by elected representatives and other selected government officials and increased political engagement of civil society.

Civil society organisations also are expected to advocate more vigorously and effectively for local concerns by utilising various means of communication available to them such local radio stations and newspapers. However, another challenge obvious at this scenario is parliament and parliamentarians seem to elevate themselves above civil society and public rather than being responsive and accountable to constituents and civil society generally. However, over and above illiteracy, poverty and unemployment rates are high which impact negatively to progress of MP/civil society/constituents relations. The relations should be clarified appropriately and civil society should not be seen as a threat to the authority or sovereignty of parliament or political opponent but as a unifying factor between parliament and constituents.

LDP met with PRC Chair to debate public participation in parliamentary affairs including legislation making, submissions to portfolio committees from civil society organisations (CSOs) and general public. Following meetings with Parliamentary Committee Chairs and retreat held in Thaba Bosiu; and realisation that LDP get similar concerns from almost all constituents, it was apparent that Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Committees should be involved and intensify public participation in parliament together with CSOs. However, it was found out that there is no provision of budget for committees and their independence is uncertain as they rely entirely on parliament budget and need to seek permission from presiding officers and Clerks for execution of duties and how they can implement certain issues, with involvement of the executive at times. During Retreat of Chairs of parliamentary committees, it was agreed that Chair of Chairs should be elected immediately after the retreat; however, request of such has still not been answered by both the Clerk and the Speaker, which delays independence process further. With regard to public participation and public presence when committee is sitting, it is stipulated in Standing Order 54(3) that the Committee shall consider whether the bill warrants public hearings and it is so resolved, the Committee shall conduct public hearing.

Though there is a provision of public participation in parliament, most powers are still left in the hands of Committees and their Chairs whether they can admit public in their hearing or sitting or be in camera. Most committees still do not hold public hearings even though it is necessarily so because of funding. Section 77 (2) states that the Speaker also reserves the right to regulate public and media access to the National Assembly and to order the refusal of entry, the body search and removal of the same where appropriate. Same as section 77(3) where the Chairperson has a right to regulate public and media access to committee sitting and other as mentioned above.

It was then resolved that there is a dire need for collaboration between civil society organisations (CSOs) and not only in parliament but also committees, so as there could be assistance in funding other activities such public hearings which few/none have been done. In addition such should assist in advertisements of committees’ sittings in local newspapers and radio stations to invite public submissions. Our parliament is still in its infancy as most parliaments have progressed to using websites for public participation in bills or policies to be debated in parliament and speedy progress is needed for enhancing such need. Even though Parliament Reforms Committee made provision of public participation in parliament, is the legislature really opened to public? It is clear that inadequate, inaccessible meeting facilities and insufficient time for legislators to meet with constituents act as constraints on relations between legislators and their constituents. In some instances legislative buildings are inaccessible to constituents. In Lesotho Parliament, citizens pass guards and policemen to enter the legislature with many questions to answer and sometimes constituents may not enter without appointment. However, school visits are made easier for pupils/students to observe legislative proceedings and in years to come hopefully the issues of public involvement would truly be embraced in parliament of Lesotho.

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