Statement of the SADC Extended Troika Observer

Mission on the Lesotho General Elections of 25 May 2002.

The presence of the SADC Extended Troika is a culmination of its long-term involvement under the Agreement between the Government of Lesotho and the Interim Political Authority (IPA) of Lesotho, signed on 03 December 1999, where all stakeholders committed themselves to ensure that Lesotho holds successful and credible General Elections.

The SADC Extended Troika Observer Mission met with a wide variety of stakeholders and attended rallies to assess the political climate under which elections were to take place and to assess the state of readiness of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The Observer Mission covered a large number of districts to observe all phases of the elections including, the pre-election, the voting, the counting and the announcement of the preliminary results.

Prior to the deployment of the Observer Mission, the SADC Extended Troika followed keenly, preparations for the 2002 election by holding meetings with all stakeholders. Thus, the Troika noted that the process was proceeding according to general expectations.

The Observer Mission congratulates the IEC, for the manner in which they organised and conducted this election  and ensured an all-inclusive process in the preparations as well as the subsequent phases thereof. The training given to the polling officers was evident in the efficient, professional and transparent manner in which they executed their responsibilities.

The Mission recognises and notes the mature manner in which the political parties cooperated with each other and participated in all preparatory processes in the run-up to this election. The Mission further congratulates the political parties for instilling in their members, the spirit of tolerance and dialogue, which ensured an environment that enabled the people to go out and vote in great numbers.

The Mission notes with satisfaction the Lesotho people's sense of ownership of this electoral process. In addition, the Mission recognises that the success of this election is a result of a full commitment of the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho in exercising freely their right to vote.        

Given the above scenario, it is the opinion of the SADC Extended Troika observer Mission that the elections were transparent, free, fair, peaceful, orderly and therefore, reflecting the will of the people. The SADC Extended Troika Observer Mission appeals to the people of Lesotho to accept and respect the outcome of these elections and work together in building a prosperous secure and stable country.

Signed by:     

Chairperson  -  Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique,  Leonardo Santos Simão,                                                                               27 May 2002,  Maseru