Lesotho elections declared success

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Saturday declared that the parliamentary elections held in Lesotho were "a success".

IEC Chairman Justice Mahapela Lehohla said polling went well and there were no major incidences although voter turnout might be lower than expected.

The IEC will begin announcing results from 10am Sunday morning. Final results are expected by Thursday.

Though the elections have been peaceful, tension remains as the country is waiting to see what would happen after the results are announced.

The elections were held two years earlier than scheduled, as a result of a deal brokered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), following 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.

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. Endi