Maseru. TRC had always been part of the Local
Government preparations including participating in sensitization, training,
publicisation as well as running several workshops, meetings and discussions on
the local government process. Also, the organization produced several written
materials such as press releases and media articles on Local Government. TRC was
therefore an integral part of the process keen to witness and assist in the
delivery of a successful local government process in Lesotho.
The TRC Observer
team consisted of 13 IEC accredited observers drawn mainly from TRC’s staff
members half of whom had extensive experience in election monitoring, voter
education, election observation and post election conflict resolution. The
observation exercise was wholly funded by TRC’s Democracy and Human Rights
Education Project. Observers were deployed in 13 Electoral Divisions in two
districts, namely Maseru and Mafeteng. Some areas were of very difficult
terrain but observers did their best under the circumstances to reach as many
polling stations in their assigned areas as possible.
The TRC team
visited numerous polling stations and all arrived well in time before the
polling stations opened. TRC was reasonably satisfied with the punctuality of
the election officials as most polling stations opened at the official IEC
opening time of 07h00. The few delays that were observed were reportedly due to
some of the election materials such as scissors, lanterns, party agents’ badges
and stations signs not available. However, basic materials were available for
voting to take place in most polling stations observed.
TRC is
disappointed to note particularly low voter turnout at most stations observed.
The lowest number of voters was 12 and the highest was 500 at the polling
stations observed. This was against the average registered voters of between
600 and 1000 across the assigned electoral councils.
TRC wishes to
applaud the conduct of election officials, party agents and voters. TRC
observers received good cooperation and recognition from election officials to
carry out their assignment. Friendly, patient, sensitive and polite interaction
was observed among all parties and no incident was observed which adversely
compromised the legitimacy, accuracy and integrity of the voting process. For
this TRC would like to commend all who contributed to making this a calm and generally
trouble-free election.
However, TRC
wishes to recommend that issues relating to nomination, constitutionality of
one-third women’s representation, community council demarcation, among others,
which threatened to derail this particular election, be addressed well in time
by all parties concerned in order to safeguard the integrity of the election
process. TRC also praises the wisdom and maturity of political parties to
participate in the election, thus ushering in a new era in the country’s democratic
growth.
Katleho Pefole,
Researcher at TRC