Lesotho Set to Vote 

Failure to pass and implement the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill poses several challenges for Lesotho’s incoming government. The implementation of the national reforms process started in May when all the major parties in parliament signed a pledge to pass the amendments, commonly known as the “Omnibus Constitutional Bill”, by the end of June. This was to ensure the legislation could go through before parliament was dissolved 90 days before the elections. According to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the reforms – meant to usher in a new era of stability in Lesotho – are the result of years of discussions among political parties, civil society and other role players, mediated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It amends key provisions regarding political parties, floor-crossing in parliament, the appointment of senior officials and the role of the prime minister. The executive director Seabata Motsamai said they were ready to assess the elections and had 300 observers, two-thirds of whom would be stationed at voting stations.Motsamai said the observation mission’s mandate remained the same – to independently, objectively and impartially assess the electoral process, in accordance with the provisions of international standards and principles. Also observing the elections are representatives from the European Union, SADC, the Commonwealth and the United Nations, among other global observers.

SOURCE: MAIL & GUARDIAN