Lesotho Parliamentary Elections, 26 May 2012
The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Lesotho Parliamentary Elections, held on 26 May 2012. The Group was led by HE Dr Bakili Muluzi, former President of the Republic of Malawi, and comprised 7 eminent persons in total.
The Group found that taken overall, the elections were credible and took place in a peaceful atmosphere. However, not all of the key benchmarks for democratic elections were satisfied, and the Group has highlighted a number of improvements that need to be made in the way parliamentary elections are managed in Lesotho. It also acknowledges that there are further adjustments which may become necessary as the mixed-member proportional system of representation continues to evolve.
Contents
Letter of Transmittal
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Terms of reference
Activities
Chapter 2 – Political Background
The Mixed Member Proportional System (MMP)
Mediation efforts
Formation of the Democratic Congress (DC)
Political parties contesting the 2012 Parliamentary Elections
Chapter 3 – The Electoral Framework and Administration
The Constitution
The National Assembly Electoral Act (2011)
The electoral system
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Elections to the National Assembly
Voter eligibility and voter registration
Voter education
Advance voting
Electoral code of conduct
Conflict resolution mechanisms
Chapter 4 – Election Campaign and Media
Electoral code of conduct
Media coverage
Chapter 5 – Voting, Counting, and Results
Chapter 6 – Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
The electoral framework and administration
Election campaign and media
Voting, counting and results
Annexes
Annex 1 – Biographies of COG Members
Annex 2 – Arrival Statement by Dr Bakili Muluzi
Annex 3 – Deployment Plan
Annex 4 – Pre-Election Statement by Dr Bakili Muluzi
Annex 5 – Pre-Election and Post-Election Day Joint Appeals with other International Observer Missions
Annex 6 – Interim Statement by Dr Bakili Muluzi
Annex 7 – Departure Statement by Dr Bakili Muluzi
Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy
