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Regional bloc deploys Electoral Advisory Council in Lesotho

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed its Electoral Advisory Council (EAC) in Maseru, Lesotho as part of preparations for the forthcoming elections in the kingdom, it was announced on Wednesday.

The deployment is expected to add impetus to current preparations and efforts by the Lesotho Electoral Commission (LEC) to deliver credible, free and fair elections in which the people of Lesotho can express their democratic will as part of efforts to restore peace and stability in their country, the South African Presidency said.

Lesotho will hold its general elections on Feb. 28, 2015.

The holding of elections in Lesotho, as proclaimed by King Letsie III, arose from the signing of the Maseru Facilitation Accord by all Lesotho's political parties and as facilitated by the SADC Observer Mission under the leadership of South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa has reiterated his view that preparations for holding a free and fair election in Lesotho remains on course and continue unabated.

Despite this, tension has been mounting these days after King Letsie III appointed Kananelo Mosito as President of the Court of Appeal.

Despite opposition from several political parties, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane went ahead with Mosito's swearing-in ceremony in late January, an event boycotted by Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, who is Thabane's political foe.

Several political parties in Lesotho vowed on Sunday to fight Mosito's appointment.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) said the appointment was a violation of the electoral agreement mediated by Ramaphosa.

The agreement obliges political parties to defer senior appointments until after the poll.

Lesotho's Attorney General Tokolo Makhe has filed a high court application opposing the appointment.

The opponents to the appointment say the government did not have the authority to make the appointment as it was in power on a caretaker basis following the dissolution of parliament on December 5 last year.

The National Assembly was dissolved to pave way for the snap election, which followed the collapse of the coalition government led by Thabane.

Lesotho has been in political turmoil since June last year when Thabane suspended Parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence that was being pushed by his coalition government partners.

In late August last year, a coup to oust Thabane was thwarted. Endi