Eligibility Exception:
allegiance to a foreign State, death sentence, insanity
Registration Type:
Formal registration in office
Registration Basis:
Residence requirement
Multiple Registr Allowed:
Only 1 registration allowed at a time
Election Management & Enforcement
Nameof EMB:
Independent Electoral Commission
Independent EMB:
Yes
EMBNominations:
3 members selected by King, on advice by Council of State. Expert based membership.
EMBTenure:
6 years
Who Runs Election:
Election Management Body
Nameof Elect Enforcement Body:
High Court
Candidacy & Campaign Rules
Restrictto Candidacy:
Qualified electors, age: 21 years, Lesotho citizenship, ablility to speak and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical disability, to read and write the Sesotho or English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly. Ineligibility: undischarged bankrupts, government contractors (unless excepted), election-connected offices, electoral offences. Incompatibilities: membership of the defence or police force, national security or prison service, status of Principal Chief. Requirements: - endorsed by two electors - deposit equivalent to US$ 63, reimbursed if the candidate obtains 10 per cent or more of the votes garnered by all candidates.
Debate Average:
1
Debate Format:
2017: multicandidate debate.
Opinion Polls Embargo:
No embargo
Electoral System & Organisation
Elect System Main Election:
Mixed
Main Election Type:
General
Main Election Cycle:
5
Numb Round Main Election:
One
Referenda_Law:
Constitution of Lesotho, 66A(1)
Voting Machine:
None
Vote IDRequired:
ID check compulsory
Polling Card:
No polling card
Districting Source:
EMB
Districting Flexibility:
The Independent Electoral Commission is responsible for constituency delimitation. Delimitation is reviewed every 8-10 years after the new constituencies are decided. The constituencies may also be reviewed whenever a census of the population is carried out - “All constituencies shall contain as nearly equal numbers of inhabitants of or above the age of twenty-one years as appears to the Commission to be reasonably practicable, but the Commission may depart from this principle to such extent as it considers expedient in order to take account of-- a. the density of population, and in particular the need to ensure adequate representation of sparsely populated rural areas; b. the means of communication; c. geographical features; d. community of interest; and e. the boundaries of existing administrative areas: Provided that the number of inhabitants, of or above the age of eighteen years, of any constituency shall not exceed or fall short of the population quota by more than ten per cent.”
Frequency Districting Change:
8
Polling Station
Average Voterby Polling Station:
435
Normal Opening Time Poll Station:
700
Normal Closing Time Poll Station:
1700
Polling Station Numbers:
2884
Listof Polling Station Buildings:
public buildings, schools
Accessibility Requirement:
Party to UNCRPD. Party to UNCRPD The electoral educators of whom the majority were people with disabilities were stationed in five districts to impart knowledge on elections to people with disabilities living in about 26 constituencies.
Box Feeding System:
Voter
Vote Receipt:
No receipt
Count Locallyor Centrally:
locally
Manualor Automatic Count:
manual
Ballot Paper
Ballot Type:
Paper
Singleor Multi Paper Ballot:
Single
Max Numberof Votesper Ballot:
2
Ballot Paper Type Description:
The voter has to place a tick/cross in the square next to name of the candidate for whom s/he wishes to vote for
Remote Voting
Temporal Remote Voting:
Automatic right
Geographical Remote Voting:
Automatic right
Personal Remote Voting:
No
Time Temporal Remote:
2
Remote Voting List:
by mail
Mobile Polling Stations:
No
Special Needs
Provision First Time Voters:
The IEC and its pre-election campaign had no social media presence despite its main target being the youth and first-time voters.
Provision Illiterate Voters:
The Lesotho Electoral Act of 2011 states that “illiterates to actively participate in elections and their chosen political parties, the political party registering with the IEC shall have a logo, slogan and colors.” The act also advocates the use of ticks, crosses, and punch holes to allow illiterate voters to vote with ease.
Special Provision Female Voters:
Section 30 of the National Assembly Electoral Act of 2011 further provides that, “ (1) A political party registered with the Commission shall – (a) facilitate the full participation by women, youth and disabled persons in political activities on the basis of equality; (b) ensure free access by women, youth and disabled persons to public political meetings, facilities and venues...”
Provision Blind Voters:
2015: the independent electoral commission for the first time ever provided visually impaired voters with Braille ballots, which enabled them to make their choice independently.
Provision Deaf Voters:
National Assembly Electoral Act (2011). Article 6 states: (2) If an applicant is unable to complete and sign an application for registration as an elector because of physical incapacity, illness or illiteracy, an electoral officer shall, in the presence of the applicant and another elector, complete and sign the application on behalf of the applicant.
Provision Motor Handicap Voters:
National Assembly Electoral Act (2011). Article 6 states: (2) If an applicant is unable to complete and sign an application for registration as an elector because of physical incapacity, illness or illiteracy, an electoral officer shall, in the presence of the applicant and another elector, complete and sign the application on behalf of the applicant.
Over Representation Vuln Group:
The counting of the vote by the Presiding Officer proceeds directly after the closing of polls in the presence of candidates, their election agents and party agents