12 October 2001
LESOTHO: Voting not finalised
In spite of all parties
accepting a new electoral model Lesotho's parliament has yet to adopt
legislation on the allocation of seats and voting procedures, news reports said
on Friday.
Co-chairperson of the Interim Political Authority (IPA)
Lekhetho Rakuoane was quoted as saying that a bill to amend the National
Assembly elections had been submitted to the government to provide for
modalities on seat allocations. The proposed legislation provided for a complex
formula on the allocation of seats and also introduced a two vote system. In
terms of the new system, voters would be handed two ballots at polling
stations. One would depict the candidates and the other would list the
political parties, Rakuoane said.
The allocation of part seats would
be done in accordance with the proportional representation system, which is
seen as more inclusive and participatory, reports said. Rakuoane said the
proposed bill also provided for the publication of the detailed election
timetable to be gazetted and the provision of ballot boxes (IRIN).
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