Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has said the preparation to hold by-elections of five vacant constituencies are in motion despite the correspondence between the Budget Controller and the Acting
Director of Elections. “Your office is kindly informed to note that the budget for By-elections was not included in the 2021/2022 budget estimates. Therefore, our recommendation is that IEC should begin preparations for
2022 General Elections,” reads the savingram which Informative Newspaper had
seen. Our publication drew blank in an attempt to verify the authenticity of the savingram. The IEC Commissioner, Dr. Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana said plans are afoot in
preparation for the by-elections. She said the Commission is charged by the Constitution to hold such elections. The five vacancies are a result of deaths and the resignation of the Member of
Parliament who was posted at the embassies. The vacant constituencies are mostly those of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) being the major ruling party in the current coalition government; following the
deaths of Honourables: Lefu Hlomelang of Makhoroana No. 20, Michael Molefe of Maliepetsane No. 51, Sentje Lebona of Mohale’s Hoek No. 58 and Dr. Pontšo
Sekatle who is now a diplomat, posted in Belgium leaving Qacha’s Nek No. 69 without representation. Also, the Kolo No. 49 constituency is without an occupant following the death of Hon.
Leeto Putsoane of the Democratic Congress (DC) which is the second biggest party in the current administration. Asked what the IEC standpoint is with regards to the communication contained in the
savinggram, the Commissioner said she is not in a position to comment on that as she is not privy to the financial details, adding that the Commission will
relay any changes which may happen regarding the by-elections. The section 66 of the Constitution mandates the parliament to avail funds to the IEC to enable
it to discharge its functions. Dr. Mokobocho-Mohlakoana said the by-elections have been slated for August later this year. Also one exercise that the Commission is seized with is the
preparation of the constituencies’ demarcation. The IEC Commissioners, upon assuming office in December last year, she said they found the demarcation of constituency exercise pending as the Commission had
been without the Commissioners for two years. The demarcation of the constituencies, is a decennial undertaking that happens post the census and the most recent being that of 2018.
The Section 66A of the Constitution charges IEC with the responsibility: “To ensure that elections to the National Assembly and local authorities are held
regularly and that every election or referendum held is free and fair. To organize, conduct and supervise, in an impartial and independent manner, elections to the National Assembly and referenda under the provisions of this
Constitution and any other law; to delimit the boundaries of constituencies in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and any other law; to
supervise and control the registration of electors; to compile a general register of electors and constituency registers of electors for the several constituencies and to maintain such register or registers up to date.
“To promote knowledge of sound democratic electoral processes; g. to register political parties; h. to ascertain, publish and declare the results of
elections an referenda; to adjudicate complaints of alleged irregularities in any aspect of the electoral or referendum process at any stage other than in an election petition; and to perform such other functions as may be prescribed by or under any law enacted by Parliament. ”
2022 will see the country going to the general elections and it is expected that they will be sometime in September or October as the King calls for them three months after the dissolution of the parliament as per the Constitution. The last elections were held in June 3, 2017.
