* The people of Lesotho proceeded to the polls on 25 May 2002,  where they exercised their fundamental constitutional right by casting their vote that will usher in the new dispensation through the electoral process.

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) was engaged throughout the country to ensure that the general public elect their chosen representatives freely and without any intimidation, violence or threats.  To this end, the Commissioner of Police expresses sincere gratitude to the whole nation for a manner in which the election was carried out; that is, there was a total calmness in the constituencies where the long orderly cues were characterised by a peaceful atmosphere.

The Commissioner announces that, the general public showed a high sense of responsibility and reliance over themselves and there was a clear sign of co-operation between Political Party representatives, the Independent Electoral Commission, International Observer Groups and the Police.     

The Commissioner hails the Lesotho nation for the manner in which they treated the international Observer groups at the time and expresses profound thanks to it (the nation) for a warm reception and co-operation it accorded the groups, especially those whom it was their first time they travelled to Lesotho.

There have been no disturbing reports received during and after the election throughout the country and this is a clear indication that the whole nation appreciates the importance of the election process which would eventually lead them to a democratically elected government.

The Commissioner thanks all the Police personnel and the nation at large for the job well done and calls upon the general public to continue with their daily business as usual.

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Sesotho Version:

** Sechaba sa Basotho se ile sa ea likhethong ka Moqebelo oa 25 Mots'eanong 2002 moo se ileng sa ikakhela ka setotsoana ts'ebetsong ena e mahlonoko ea bohloka ruri bophelong ba sechaba sa Basotho ka kakaretso.

Mookameli oa Sepolesa sa Lesotho o ile a etsa phatlalatso ea hae malebana le litaba tsa ts'ireletso le ts'ireletso ea sechaba, thepa ea sechaba ekasita le maemo ohle a amanang le likhetho.

Phatlalatsong eo ea beike e fetileng, Mookameli oa Sepolesa o ile a bonts'a ka ho totobala hore Sepolesa sa Lesotho se tla lula e le malala a laotsoe ho bona hore botloli ba molao ka kakaretso bo keke ba etsahala.

Mookameli oa Sepolesa hona phatlalatsong eo, o ile a tiisetsa sechaba ts'ireletso e phethahetseng le ho khothaletsa bakhethi litsing tsa khethelo hohle kahar'a naha ho ea khetha ka khotso ho se liqhoebeshano le meferefere ea letho.

Ka hona, Mookameli o leboha sechaba ka kakaretso ka ho utloa le ho phethahatsa khoe'letsoeo ea Sepolesa ka bokhabane bohle boo motho a ka sitoang ho bo lekanya.  Hona ho pakahalitsoe ka mela e metle ea khotso litsing tsohle tsa khethelo ho fihlela matsatsing ana ao liphatlalatso tsa liphetho tsa mabatooa ka kakaretso li ntseng li tsoela pele.

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