The 2012 general elections in Lesotho: a step towards the consolidation of democracy

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Periodical article

Title:	The 2012 general elections in Lesotho: a step towards the consolidation of democracy
Author:	Letsie, Tlohang W.
Year:	2013
Periodical:	Journal of African Elections (ISSN 1609-4700)
Volume:	12
Issue:	1
Pages:	65-83
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Lesotho
Subjects:	elections 2012 democracy election law election management bodies coalitions
Abstract:	The May 2012 general elections in Lesotho were held in the best political climate since democracy returned to the country in 1993. Even the minor disputes that surfaced were resolved speedily before they could graduate into serious election-related conflict. The elections were historic in that the results were not disputed. In addition, for the first time in the country's history the elections failed to produce a clear winner, hence the formation of a coalition government. The elections also resulted in a change of leadership, bringing to an end Pakalitha Mosisili's 14-year rule. The article contends that the peaceful conduct of the elections was the result of the amendments made to the country's electoral laws and the preparedness of the Independent Electoral Commission. It goes further to show how the Democratic Congress, the party with a relative majority of parliamentary seats, came to be omitted from the coalition government and was relegated to the opposition. All these, the article argues, are positive developments in the country's move towards democratic consolidation. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]