The small mountain kingdom of Lesotho in southern Africa has started voting on the day thousands of urban and rural citizens voted to elect the country’s 120 members of parliament.
Shortly after the polls closed, election officials were seen checking voter rolls at various polling stations.
The Independent Electoral Commission will announce the official results, though some expect them by Tuesday.
Reports from voters and polling officials indicate that some people not on voter rolls have been denied ballots, but there have been no reported cases of major disruption to voting. .
Lesotho PM charged with murder of estranged wife: Police
In one constituency in the rural part of the country, the Taba Tseka district, the expected voter turnout was nearly half of the expected number of registered voters.
The elections are fiercely competitive, with the top three parties out of more than 60 registered parties.
Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Congress Party Matibelli Mokotu will take on his current coalition partners Nkak Kabi of the All-Basotho Congress and Revolution for Prosperity businessman-turned-politician Sam Matekane. ing.
Friday was a holiday that prompted the country’s 2.1 million people to vote. Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa.
King Letsie III of Lesotho presides over a constitutional monarchy, but has virtually no political powers. A new prime minister is elected by the political party that wins enough representation in parliament to form a government. With so many parties competing in the election, experts say a coalition is highly likely.
Regional forces head for Lesotho after commander killed
At the polling station in Tetzane, an industrial area of the capital Maseru, a mix of senior citizens, women and young people lined up as the polls started slowly after voting started at 7am.
Many voters told the Associated Press that they hope the election of a new leader will bring about change as the country faces high unemployment, rising crime and political instability.
Unemployed Tseliso Seutruwadi, 32, was one of the first to vote.
“We need change and it will only come through our vote. Basically, the unemployment rate is too high in this country. I know that only 10% of the population will survive, what about the rest?” asked Seutlwadi.
He said many people lost their jobs in factories during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some turned to crime and prostitution to earn a living.
“As young people, we want to influence the future of this country. We see factories closing and rape of women on the rise. We have to influence what is happening in this country.” Nuzoaki Renea, 37.
After the government, the largest employer in Lesotho after the government is the garment manufacturing industry, which employed more than 45,500 textile workers in early 2020, but about 25% of these jobs were lost during the pandemic, according to official statistics. Lost.
Lesotho’s first woman charged with murder after surrendering, police say
About 320,000 people in Lesotho are currently experiencing a severe food “crisis” that, according to the Integrated Food Security Tiers, “saves lives, reduces food insecurity, protects and restores livelihoods, and prevents acute malnutrition.” To prevent ‘in urgent need of assistance.
Election observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community are in Lesotho to assess the electoral process.