A three member United Nations team is in Lesotho on a two weeks elections needs assessment mission. Ms. Kendra Collins head of mission; Jerome Leyraud from the technical advisory and Clever Nyathi of the Conflict Management sections of the Electoral Assistance Division are in the country at the invitation of the local Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The IEC asked for UN assistance to identify areas that could be improved upon and ensure a credible election process in 2007, according to Ms Collins, which led to the international organisation sending the needs assessment mission. 

“Needs assessment missions remain the most important tool for measuring the appropriateness, necessity and potential impact of the UN Electoral Assistance to an election process because these allow for direct discussion of concerns, priorities and resources,” Ms Collins said. 

The mission terms of reference include:

·          To provide a realistic assessment of existing conditions for the conduct of elections in Lesotho including an analysis of the legal, political, human rights, material and institutional situation;

·          To evaluate the capacity of the Independent Electoral Commission to address election challenges as an independent and credible institution;

·          To provide an assessment of technical assistance needs and recommend practical and cost-effective means of targeting UN assistance to support the successful organisation and conduct of elections;

·          To assess the existing activities and plans of international donors in providing technical and financial assistance to the electoral process in order to facilitate the coordination of external assistance and avoid unnecessary expenditures or duplication;

·          To prepare a final report of the mission findings that provides a baseline analysis of the current situation, needs and recommend technical assistance strategies;

·          To develop the main elements of a proposed technical assistance project for consideration by the Focal Point (Under Secretary General for Political Affairs). 

It met with media representatives and is also scheduled to have meetings with civil society groupings, political parties and the government.

13 December 2005