Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU202
2007-04-02 15:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: POST ELECTION CONFERENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO1952 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHMR #0202/01 0921521 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021521Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2837 INFO RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3190 RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000202
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: POST ELECTION CONFERENCE
REF: MASERU 183 AND PREVIOUS
MASERU 00000202 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000202
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: POST ELECTION CONFERENCE
REF: MASERU 183 AND PREVIOUS
MASERU 00000202 001.2 OF 002
1. Summary: The Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN) hosted a two-day
conference on Post 2007 National Assembly Elections from March
26 to 27, 2007. The Conference was aimed at reflecting on
Lesotho's February 17 2007 National Assembly elections and
beyond so as to facilitate the process of learning and improving
election management in Lesotho. The main topics discussed were:
Challenges of managing and organizing the 2007 National Assembly
Snap Elections, Perspectives and reflections of political party
leaders on the Conduct of 2007 elections, Deepening the culture
of democracy through Elections Observations - reflections of the
Civil Society Organizations on the conduct of 2007 elections,
and Safe-guarding Mixed Member Proportion (MMP) Electoral Model:
Prospects and Challenges for Lesotho Model. The conference was
attended by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC),Political Parties, academics from
the National University of Lesotho (NUL),the Ombudsman, Anti
Corruption Unit, Diplomatic Corps (the DCM represented the
Embassy),the National Democratic Institute (NDI),Electoral
Institute of Southern Africa (EISA),trade unions and other
stakeholders. End summary.
-------------- --------------
--------------
2. Perspectives and reflections of the political party leaders
-------------- --------------
--------------
The majority of the political parties were unsatisfied about the
preparedness of IEC for the past elections. The IEC came under
heavy criticism for its inability to conduct elections as
expected by the stakeholders, especially on the following:
preparation of a complete and comprehensive voters list, voter
education, training of polling staff and party agents,
monitoring of the use of media for party campaigns, enforcement
of the elections code of conduct, distribution of voting
materials, vote count and result tabulation.
---The formation of alliances was also seen as one of the
problems as it compromised the spirit of Mixed Member Proportion
(MMP) as an electoral model. (Although there have been no
objections to alliances by opposition parties, only to the
winning LCD party).
--- Allocation of proportional seats in the Parliament was also
cited as a major problem. Opposition parties argued that the
existing formula for allocation of the seats was not followed
and has to be rectified. (reftel: Maseru 160).
-------------- --------------
--------------
3. Deepening the culture of democracy through election
observation
-------------- --------------
--------------
Reflections of the civil society organizations on the conduct of
the February 17 election.
According to LCN, the 2007 National Assembly elections were
organized under circumstances and conditions that presented
enormous pressure on all actors involved in the process. The
unexpectedly early dissolution of parliament stretched capacity
of all actors way beyond their limits. The following are the
issues raised by LCN on observation of elections:
--- Voters' registration: Practicalities of registration
management challenged the capacity of the IEC in the context of
the then prevailing political situation. Note: Early dissolution
of Parliament was seen by some observers as a strategy by the
ruling party to impede or short circuit the attempts of the All
Basotho Convention (ABC) to register the aspiring supporters and
the first time voting enthusiasts. (Reftel: Maseru 069 and 075)
--- Voter education: IEC officials who were stationed at the
polling stations demonstrated lack of adequate training
especially on the procedure of elections. Counting in many
polling stations was reported to have been time consuming as a
result of polling officials re-checking their manuals, seeking
assistance from observers and in the process committing a number
of errors.
--- Distribution of Election Materials: Some polling stations
had no adequate materials supplied. The materials missing in
some of the polling stations included: envelopes for ballots not
supplied until 16:46 pm on polling day, declaration forms,
envelope seals and ballot stickers, watches, pens, torches, red
MASERU 00000202 002.2 OF 002
padlocks, container for counter foils, ballot box stickers.
--- Enforcement of Code of Conduct: The National Assembly
Elections Act regulates campaigning and the general conduct of
all actors in elections. While generally there was respect of
the code of conduct and provisions of the law that govern
campaigning; also that polling day generally went on under a
smooth atmosphere, there were critical issues to note, which if
not well attended could compromise the otherwise fragile process
of building confidence of people in election management.
These issues include the use of government vehicles by ministers
for campaigning needs further deliberations to determine whether
it is fair. For example, ministers used government vehicles to
pick up their supporters to rallies and to round up their
constituencies. Such service is at times extended to other
constituencies to help candidates of the ruling party. This act
presented very clearly unfair competition between the party in
government on the one hand and other competing political parties
on the other.
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
4. Safeguarding the MMP model: Prospects and challenges for
Lesotho Electoral Model
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
Dr. Khabele Matlosa (Lesotho national),Senior Advisor Research,
EISA based in Johannesburg, South Africa made the following
observations:
---The 2007 general election in Lesotho has posed various
challenges for the country's electoral and party systems; the
key challenge in regard to the electoral system relates to how
the original intent of the MMP is being upheld. According to
Matlosa Indications are that some of the MMP principles have
been breached and there is need to correct this anomaly; The
key challenge in regard to the party system is presented by
fragmentation/splits within parties as well as the new trend of
alliance/coalition formation; formation of alliances is good
for democracy especially under conditions of PR and/or MMP.
However, these alliances must be regulated in order to
strengthen democracy. Lesotho to uphold principles of
democracy of the MMP system and to avoid turning it into a
parallel system.
--------------
5. Comment
--------------
The participants deemed the conference as an important step in
addressing the country's political problems through dialogue.
Most of the speakers emphasized the essence of dialogue and
encouraged all stakeholders to pursue this in earnest in order
to bring tangible results. The DCM made a key note address on
behalf of the Ambassador. He highlighted the electoral
assistance assistance provided by USG to various stakeholders
through U.S.A.I.D. Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA)
and directly from the Embassy. The DCM concluded by emphasizing
the need for dialogue in addressing problems facing the
country.Other recommendations included the need for a wider
voter education; especially on the MMP model (which took New
Zealand four (4) electoral cycles to perfect, according to the
head of the Commonwealth Observer Delegation); enhanced capacity
building for IEC; fostering political maturity by
institutionalizing dialogue among all stakeholders on Lesotho
politics; introduction of ID system to replace the voters' roll;
and finally, the participants stressed that the Electoral Code
of Conduct needs to be enforced by all parties. Some local and
regional observers are concerned about the attitude of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) in addressing the
political problems facing the region. They accused the
organization of lack of commitment in making realistic proposals
which could produce concrete results. However since the team
will only be arriving the week of April 02, it is difficult to
predict the outcome.
PERRY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: POST ELECTION CONFERENCE
REF: MASERU 183 AND PREVIOUS
MASERU 00000202 001.2 OF 002
1. Summary: The Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN) hosted a two-day
conference on Post 2007 National Assembly Elections from March
26 to 27, 2007. The Conference was aimed at reflecting on
Lesotho's February 17 2007 National Assembly elections and
beyond so as to facilitate the process of learning and improving
election management in Lesotho. The main topics discussed were:
Challenges of managing and organizing the 2007 National Assembly
Snap Elections, Perspectives and reflections of political party
leaders on the Conduct of 2007 elections, Deepening the culture
of democracy through Elections Observations - reflections of the
Civil Society Organizations on the conduct of 2007 elections,
and Safe-guarding Mixed Member Proportion (MMP) Electoral Model:
Prospects and Challenges for Lesotho Model. The conference was
attended by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC),Political Parties, academics from
the National University of Lesotho (NUL),the Ombudsman, Anti
Corruption Unit, Diplomatic Corps (the DCM represented the
Embassy),the National Democratic Institute (NDI),Electoral
Institute of Southern Africa (EISA),trade unions and other
stakeholders. End summary.
-------------- --------------
--------------
2. Perspectives and reflections of the political party leaders
-------------- --------------
--------------
The majority of the political parties were unsatisfied about the
preparedness of IEC for the past elections. The IEC came under
heavy criticism for its inability to conduct elections as
expected by the stakeholders, especially on the following:
preparation of a complete and comprehensive voters list, voter
education, training of polling staff and party agents,
monitoring of the use of media for party campaigns, enforcement
of the elections code of conduct, distribution of voting
materials, vote count and result tabulation.
---The formation of alliances was also seen as one of the
problems as it compromised the spirit of Mixed Member Proportion
(MMP) as an electoral model. (Although there have been no
objections to alliances by opposition parties, only to the
winning LCD party).
--- Allocation of proportional seats in the Parliament was also
cited as a major problem. Opposition parties argued that the
existing formula for allocation of the seats was not followed
and has to be rectified. (reftel: Maseru 160).
-------------- --------------
--------------
3. Deepening the culture of democracy through election
observation
-------------- --------------
--------------
Reflections of the civil society organizations on the conduct of
the February 17 election.
According to LCN, the 2007 National Assembly elections were
organized under circumstances and conditions that presented
enormous pressure on all actors involved in the process. The
unexpectedly early dissolution of parliament stretched capacity
of all actors way beyond their limits. The following are the
issues raised by LCN on observation of elections:
--- Voters' registration: Practicalities of registration
management challenged the capacity of the IEC in the context of
the then prevailing political situation. Note: Early dissolution
of Parliament was seen by some observers as a strategy by the
ruling party to impede or short circuit the attempts of the All
Basotho Convention (ABC) to register the aspiring supporters and
the first time voting enthusiasts. (Reftel: Maseru 069 and 075)
--- Voter education: IEC officials who were stationed at the
polling stations demonstrated lack of adequate training
especially on the procedure of elections. Counting in many
polling stations was reported to have been time consuming as a
result of polling officials re-checking their manuals, seeking
assistance from observers and in the process committing a number
of errors.
--- Distribution of Election Materials: Some polling stations
had no adequate materials supplied. The materials missing in
some of the polling stations included: envelopes for ballots not
supplied until 16:46 pm on polling day, declaration forms,
envelope seals and ballot stickers, watches, pens, torches, red
MASERU 00000202 002.2 OF 002
padlocks, container for counter foils, ballot box stickers.
--- Enforcement of Code of Conduct: The National Assembly
Elections Act regulates campaigning and the general conduct of
all actors in elections. While generally there was respect of
the code of conduct and provisions of the law that govern
campaigning; also that polling day generally went on under a
smooth atmosphere, there were critical issues to note, which if
not well attended could compromise the otherwise fragile process
of building confidence of people in election management.
These issues include the use of government vehicles by ministers
for campaigning needs further deliberations to determine whether
it is fair. For example, ministers used government vehicles to
pick up their supporters to rallies and to round up their
constituencies. Such service is at times extended to other
constituencies to help candidates of the ruling party. This act
presented very clearly unfair competition between the party in
government on the one hand and other competing political parties
on the other.
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
4. Safeguarding the MMP model: Prospects and challenges for
Lesotho Electoral Model
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
Dr. Khabele Matlosa (Lesotho national),Senior Advisor Research,
EISA based in Johannesburg, South Africa made the following
observations:
---The 2007 general election in Lesotho has posed various
challenges for the country's electoral and party systems; the
key challenge in regard to the electoral system relates to how
the original intent of the MMP is being upheld. According to
Matlosa Indications are that some of the MMP principles have
been breached and there is need to correct this anomaly; The
key challenge in regard to the party system is presented by
fragmentation/splits within parties as well as the new trend of
alliance/coalition formation; formation of alliances is good
for democracy especially under conditions of PR and/or MMP.
However, these alliances must be regulated in order to
strengthen democracy. Lesotho to uphold principles of
democracy of the MMP system and to avoid turning it into a
parallel system.
--------------
5. Comment
--------------
The participants deemed the conference as an important step in
addressing the country's political problems through dialogue.
Most of the speakers emphasized the essence of dialogue and
encouraged all stakeholders to pursue this in earnest in order
to bring tangible results. The DCM made a key note address on
behalf of the Ambassador. He highlighted the electoral
assistance assistance provided by USG to various stakeholders
through U.S.A.I.D. Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA)
and directly from the Embassy. The DCM concluded by emphasizing
the need for dialogue in addressing problems facing the
country.Other recommendations included the need for a wider
voter education; especially on the MMP model (which took New
Zealand four (4) electoral cycles to perfect, according to the
head of the Commonwealth Observer Delegation); enhanced capacity
building for IEC; fostering political maturity by
institutionalizing dialogue among all stakeholders on Lesotho
politics; introduction of ID system to replace the voters' roll;
and finally, the participants stressed that the Electoral Code
of Conduct needs to be enforced by all parties. Some local and
regional observers are concerned about the attitude of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) in addressing the
political problems facing the region. They accused the
organization of lack of commitment in making realistic proposals
which could produce concrete results. However since the team
will only be arriving the week of April 02, it is difficult to
predict the outcome.
PERRY