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Peaceful national elections held in Lesotho

Xinhua, February 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Lesotho was holding its snap general elections on Saturday in a bid to end a political impasse in the kingdom.

The streets were quiet this morning as the Basotho nation began queuing at poll stations throughout the country since 5:00 a.m..

Scenes at the polling stations were relaxed and peaceful, with many commentating that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had prepared well for the elections.

There have been no reports of serious incidences or points of concern. Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. with only a few starting later than planned.

The elections were held two years earlier than scheduled, as a result of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) brokered agreement after an attempted coup in August last year, which forced Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to flee to neighboring South Africa. Thabane returned two weeks later under the protection of South African security services.

The SADC, the European Union, the United Nations and many other organizations have sent observers to the small mountain kingdom to observe the elections.

The Lesotho National Defense Force have been ordered to remain within their barracks. Security over the election period remains the responsibility of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service with support from SADC security forces. 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 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.

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 were wounded in a shooting incident.

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