Lesotho Post-Election: An Analysis

The 2022 Lesotho National Assembly Elections saw a record 65 political parties contest, a trend driven by the 'politics of the stomach' and low registration thresholds. Despite the high number of parties, manifestos were largely identical, focusing on unemployment and corruption without providing specific mechanisms for improvement. While international observers commended the peaceful voting process, the document highlights risks of post-election destabilization due to incomplete constitutional reforms, a problematic voters' roll, and the influence of Famo Music Groups. The elections resulted in a coalition government led by the RFP, AD, and MEC, though voter turnout dropped to a historic low of 37.71%.

• The 2022 elections saw a record number of 65 contesting political parties, a significant increase from previous cycles such as 1993 (12 parties) and 2017 (29 parties). This proliferation is attributed to the 'politics of the stomach', where politicians seek government perks like monthly salaries of M37,000 and interest-free loans of M500,000, as well as low registration thresholds requiring only five hundred signatures that the IEC cannot verify.
• Political party manifestos in 2022 were largely indistinguishable, with most parties promising to fight corruption and unemployment without detailing specific implementation mechanisms. This is particularly notable given that the unemployment rate in Lesotho has remained above 20% since 1999.
• International observer missions from the EU, Commonwealth, SADC, African Union, and ECF-SADC commended the peaceful nature of the pre-election period and the voting process, but urged the 11th parliament to address the voters' roll and complete the reform process.
• Several factors threaten post-election stability in Lesotho, including the use of an old constitution with loopholes, a voters' roll described by some as containing 'inaccuracies, and duplicates', and the financing of parties like the ABC, DC, and MEC by Famo Music Groups (FMGs) involved in illegal activities.
• Voter turnout in Lesotho has shown a steady decline, reaching a low of 37.71% in 2022, compared to 51.86% in 2012, 46.61% in 2015, and 46.37% in 2017.
• The 2022 election resulted in a coalition agreement signed on 11 October 2022 between the RFP, AD, and MEC, forming a government with a slim majority of 65 seats. The coalition's stated immediate priorities are to stabilize the economy, rein in government expenditure, and unite the nation.

APA

Pherudi, M. (2022). Lesotho Post-Election: An Analysis. Good Governance Africa. https://gga.org/lesotho-post-election-an-analysis/

Chicago

Pherudi, Mokete. Lesotho Post-Election: An Analysis. Good Governance Africa, 2022. https://gga.org/lesotho-post-election-an-analysis/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Pherudi |first1=Mokete |title=Lesotho Post-Election: An Analysis |publisher=Good Governance Africa |date=12 October 2022 |url=https://gga.org/lesotho-post-election-an-analysis/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{pherudi2022lesotho, author = {Pherudi, Mokete}, title = {{Lesotho Post-Election: An Analysis}}, institution = {Good Governance Africa}, year = {2022}, month = oct, url = {https://gga.org/lesotho-post-election-an-analysis/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }