Pretoria - SADC Facilitator and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to all political parties and the people of Lesotho ahead of Saturday’s polls.
"We express our confidence that all conditions for the holding of free and fair elections have been met; that elections will be held under peaceful condition within provisions of the electoral and constitutional laws of Lesotho and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) guidelines and principles for the holding of free and fair elections,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa on Friday.
Deputy President Ramaphosa, who will pay a working visit to Lesotho from Saturday to Sunday to observe the elections, is hopeful Lesotho's much anticipated elections will proceed smoothly.
He was appointed by SADC to mediate with the political parties since the crisis broke in the mountain kingdom.
Lesotho has been in political turmoil since June last year when Prime Minister Thomas Thabane suspended Parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence that was being pushed by his coalition government partners.
In late August last year, a coup to oust Thabane was thwarted. Mediated by SADC, all conflicting parties agreed to hold early elections.
On Saturday, more than 1.2 million Basotho will go to the polls to choose a new government, while as many as 1 116 candidates are contesting the 120 parliamentary seats.
SADC and African Union observer missions are already on the ground in Lesotho to ensure that elections are credible and free. In the streets, people say they cannot wait for the elections to take place.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said he was encouraged by the huge turnout of the masses of the people of Lesotho at electoral political rallies, which took place under peaceful conditions and within the framework of the SADC facilitated Electoral Pledge.
“This is testimony of the determination of the people of Lesotho to shape the destiny of their country in line with their rich history and democratic culture. Let the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho speak,'' said the Deputy President. – SAnews.gov.za
