Off the wire
• China to introduce market-based jet fuel pricing  • Urgent: Polling starts in Lesotho  • Indonesia ends AirAsia search operation: official  • Real Madrid prepare to face under-strength Villarreal  • Almeria face 3 point penalty over alleged non-payment for player  • Spotlight: U.S. holds second round of diplomatic talks with Cuba amid Republican objection  • 1st LD Writethru: Toll soars to 250 in Afghan avalanche: official  • U.S. drone kills 4 suspected al-Qaida members in Yemen  • Urgent: Toll soars to 250 in Afghan avalanche: official  • NBA results  
You are here: 　 Home

1st LD Writethru: Polling starts in Lesotho elections

Xinhua, February 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Voters in Lesotho went to the polls on Saturday for an early election designed to end a political impasse in the kingdom.

Lesotho has been in political turmoil since June last year when Prime Minister Thomas 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.

The vote is being held about two years ahead of schedule under a political deal brokered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Twenty-four parties are vying for support among the 1.2 million registered voters in the country, which is surrounded by South Africa.

These include Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's All Basotho Convention (ABC), his deputy Mothetjoa Metsing's Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and the smaller Basotho National Party (BNP), which form the coalition government.

The SADC has launched its Election Observer Mission (EOM) to ensure a free and fair election in the kingdom.

South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as SADC facilitator, is in Maseru, capital of Lesotho to observe the elections.

He voiced confidence in the elections, saying all conditions for the holding of free and fair elections have been met.

The elections, he said, "will be held under peaceful condition - - within provisions of the electoral and constitutional laws of Lesotho and the SADC Guidelines and Principles for the holding of free and fair elections".

"We were encouraged by the huge turn-out of the masses of the people of Lesotho at electoral political rallies which took place under peaceful conditions and within the framework of the SADC facilitated Electoral Pledge," said Ramaphosa.

"This is testimony of the determination of the people of Lesotho to shape the destiny of their country in line with their rich history and democratic culture," Ramaphosa added.

Preliminary election results are expected on Sunday and the final ones by Thursday.

Tension has been mounting in Lesotho in the runup to the elections. Early this month, a security guard of Thabane was killed and two soldiers wounded in a shooting incident.

Rival political parties have accused each other of formenting tension before the elections. Endi