The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Observer Mission will deploy its members to most constituencies at the Lesotho's general elections to be held on February 17.

Speaking at the launching of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission in Lesotho for the observation of the general elections, Head of Mission of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission and the Minister of Labour, Employment and Youth Development in Tanzania, Captain John Chiligati said the aim is to witness much of the political activities in the country in the days leading up to the voting and counting exercise.

In order to enhance reliability and validity of its findings, he said the SADC Mission will confer, cross check and compare notes with other observer missions. On the other hand, he said meetings will be held with different political parties contesting for the elections in order to comprehend the election environment and related organisational matters from as many sources as possible.

The Head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission said at the end of the elections, their mission will inform the outside World as objectively as possible on the conduct of these elections. He pointed out that his Mission is particularly happy to note that the election process in this country is based on collectively agreed laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the electoral process and code of conduct and ethics.

'These agreed laws, rules and regulations will give us guidance in the execution of our responsibility, and also will provide the criteria and barometer to judge on the general conduct of these elections,' he added.

When asked if based on their observation; peace will prevail after the elections, the Head of the Mission said if Basotho want peace after the elections, they will get it. He further said no one will bring peace in a basket from another country and impose it on Basotho and that it would be up to them to always seek peace for the betterment of the country. Captain Chiligati appealed for a maximum cooperation from Basotho in order to make the elections successful.

Present at the occasion to launching ceremony, included Ambassadors and High Commissioners of SADC member states to Lesotho, members of the diplomatic Corps, leaders of political parties and Lesotho Elections Facilitators' committee.

The SADC Electoral Observer Mission will also hold talks with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to find out progress towards elections.

Source: LENA