Four political parties and two independent candidates will contest for the Rothe Constituency No. 43 by-elections to be held on July 26 this year.

The ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Basotuland Congress Party (BCP), All Basotho Convention (ABC) and Basotho National Party (BNP) presented their candidates during the nomination court conducted at St. Barnabas High School in Masite on Thursday.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)'s Returning Officer, Mrs. 'Mamots'elisi Chefane announced the names of the parties’ candidates as Mr. Khots'eng Mosebi of LCD, Mr. Ishmael Sehloho (BCP) and Sello Mokone of ABC.

The two independent candidates are Mrs. 'Malesenyeho Sehloho and Mr. Roboche Nts'asa.

In an interview, Mr. Nts’asa said as a Christian he wanted to stand for Christian values and that politicians have failed to bring changes in Rothe.

He pointed out that his priority will be farming to produce enough food even before he could think of any developmental projects.

On the other hand, the LCD candidate Mr. Mosebi said if elected, he would implement his party’s manifesto of speeding up service delivery, which includes construction of roads, clean water supply and power supply.

ABC candidate said his priority will be to ensure that donations are distributed fairly without discrimination and that there are good roads, clean water supply as well as power supply to locals.

He noted that unlike in the previous polls, he stands a better chance of winning the polls at the constituency because a large amount of the youth has registered for the election this time.

However, he accused IEC of not doing enough to register herd boys during the registration of youth aged 17 who will be 18 on the day of elections.

When approached for comment, IEC Voter Education Officer at the constituency, Mrs. 'Mathuso Mareka, said the commission has never received any complaints in so far as youth registration is concerned.

The by-elections to be held on July 26 follow a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the death of Member of Parliament for Rothe Constituency No. 43, Mr. Molebatsi Makhebesela on March 29.

Source: LENA 12/06/2008