The ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) will be in power for the next five years, despite the outcome of the pending case of the Marematlou Freedom Party in the High Court.

Addressing members of the press at the Lesotho Television (LTV) studios on Monday, the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, says LCD has already 62 constituency seats in the National Assembly which are not part of the MFP issue of allocation of seats lodged in the High court.

Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing noted that in the National Assembly, there are 120 seats in total and that those which MFP is not satisfied with are only 40 and that even if the case could fall either way, it will not precipitate the calling of fresh elections as other people perceive.

On the other hand, Mr. Metsing said the initiative of the ruling party to amend some parts of the Constitution about election results cases being referred to the Appeal Court is done in 'good faith' and not to prolong the LCD's stay in power.

'The amendment is a great improvement of distribution of justice as it will give provision for all complainants to the Appeal courts and not the ruling government alone,' he stressed.

The Government spokesperson said their intention as government is to exhaust all forms of justice to satisfy all sides, adding that according to the draft bill, there will also be a time frame of at least three months to deal with such cases.

With regard to the mediation process led by former Botswana President, Sir Ketumile Masire who was in the country between February 06 to 09, Mr. Metsing said the process is still going on well.

However, he noted that serious negotiations will resume immediately after the MFP case pending in the High Court has been presided over.

The Minister's press conference was meant to respond to allegations that the government intents to amendment the constitution to enable it (government) an opportunity to appeal in case it loses the MFP case on allocation seats.

Source: LENA 023/03/2008