The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) newly appointed commissioners were sworn in by Chief Justice, Sakoane Sakoane at the ceremony held at the Lesotho High Court in Maseru on Monday.
The commissioners are the Chairperson of the commission, Mr. Mphasa Mokhochane, and commissioners, Dr Karabo Mohlakoana-Mokobocho and Mr. Tšoeu Petlane.
When addressing the media after the swearing-in ceremony, the IEC Chairperson, Mr. Mokhochane said the by elections which have been left vacant for some time need to be filled, saying this exercise is going to give the commission a clear picture of its readiness for the coming general elections in 2022.
He added that the commission’s immediate duty will be to appoint the Director of Elections which has been left vacant after the former IEC Director of elections, Dr Letholetseng Ntsiki’s contract expired.
He also promised to ensure that the commission has enough personnel, saying that will speed up the commission’s primary mandate thus to conduct free and fair elections.
Mr. Mokhochane highlighted that some of the major tasks of the incoming commissioners will be to look on the current IEC data base which he said many Basotho have been questioning its authenticity, expressing believe that it is one of the main reasons Basotho shun the general elections lately.
He however revealed that IEC has conducted a study which he said they will have to examine to find out the reasons for the poor turn out of elections and the way forward, as it has been conducted by the experts.
He also talked about the demarcation of constituencies which will be undertaken based on the fact that after every ten years, the government conducts a population census, which shows that there has been a growth of the population.
”We will need to work hard to bring unity and trust amongst the IEC staff so that we could pull in one direction in order to achieve the primary mandate of the commission, which is to deliver free, fair and credible elections,” he stressed.
The Chairperson also mentioned that the commission intends to consider unifying the elections in the country by ensuring that both the general elections and the Local Government are held simultaneously to save costs.
The incoming commissioners who have been appointed by His Majesty King Letsie III through the Council of State replace former commissioners, Justice Mahapela Lehohla, Dr Makase Nyaphisi and Advocate ‘Mamosebi Pholo.
The new commission has been appointed on a five-year contract ahead of the 2022 general elections.