The Lesotho Council of Non Governmental Organizations (LCN) says it is impressed with the conduct of electorates, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), political agents, media houses and security structures deployed during the Motete by elections polling day.

In a press statement issued by 26 representatives from 15 NGOs who observed the elections, LCN has declared the by-elections at Motete Constituency No3, a true reflection and will of the electorate in the constituency. It indicated that the constituency had 31 polling stations of which 10 were in the highlands and 21  in the foothills, adding that in the foothills the LCN observer team observed all the 21 polling stations while in the highlands only 5 polling stations were observed.

The statement  noted that the observers were guided by the election check list
developed by LCN as an observation criteria, explaining that the observation criteria was designed to among others, identify an observer, polling station, IEC coordinator at a polling station, political parties that contested the election, party agents as well as the number of IEC staff deployed in each polling station.

He said the observation criteria also assisted observers to determine voter turnout, general atmosphere availability of voter material and many other elements that provide basis for a criteria assessment of accessible, free and fair elections.

The statement further clarified that despite the difficulties in driving through Motete, the polling stations were accessible and within walking distance for the electorate, adding that the general environment was not tense by all means for there were no intimidations.

LCN said the average voter turnout was about 33% with adult population forming about 90 percent of the electorate who cast their votes, adding that youth participation was almost none existant.

The Press statement said the by-election was held in an environment conducive enough for the holding of the elections that can be considered to have gone well and deserves acceptance by the electorate.

Parties which contested the elections were Basotholand African Congress (BAC), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) plus two independent candidates. The by- elections were won by LCD candidate Mr. Mohlomi Monyane.

18 February, 2003