Tentative Date of Local Government Elections: April 30
  A formal writ of elections announcing the date on which Local Government elections will be held, will be published on  February 12, 2005 though it is expected that it will be April 30, next year, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced.

In a meeting with political parties in Maseru on December 21, IEC Commissioner Mr. Mokhele Likate, said a task list of all preparatory activities before the holding of elections, makes them believe the local government elections can be held on 30th April, 2005.

The IEC is committed to working hard, with the support of the political parties, to ensure that nothing stops the elections being held on this date.

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by political party representatives who said the task list and the suggested date for the elections will help them in their preparations. They appealed to the IEC to finalise the delimitation of constituencies as well as which of these were to be contested by women.

Government announced plans to have some constituencies reserved for female candidates as part of a programme to empower women in the country.

22 December 2004
  source:   LENA