Lesotho
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
03.06.2017
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
07.03.2017
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Early election
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
120
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
1,374
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
943
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
431
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
31.37%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
30
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
1,254,506
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's All Basotho Convention (ABC) came first in snap elections but failed to win an outright majority. On 16 June, Mr. Thabane was again sworn in as Prime Minister in a new coalition government, comprising his ABC, the Alliance of Democrats (AD), the Basotho National Party (BNP) and the Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL), which jointly hold 63 seats in the 121-member National Assembly.
The 2017 elections - the third poll in five years - were triggered after Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili of the Democratic Congress (DC) lost a vote of confidence in March. Mr. Mosisili had been leading a seven-party coalition since 2015. His deputy, Mr. Monyake Moleleki, defected with a number of DC members and joined the ABC in passing the March 2017 no confidence vote against Mr. Mosisili urging the King to appoint Mr. Moleleki as the new Prime Minister. Mr. Mosisili chose to dissolve parliament instead of resigning from the post in favour of Mr. Moleleki. King Letsie III subsequently dissolved parliament thus paving the way to the snap elections held in June 2017.
The 2017 elections - the third poll in five years - were triggered after Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili of the Democratic Congress (DC) lost a vote of confidence in March. Mr. Mosisili had been leading a seven-party coalition since 2015. His deputy, Mr. Monyake Moleleki, defected with a number of DC members and joined the ABC in passing the March 2017 no confidence vote against Mr. Mosisili urging the King to appoint Mr. Moleleki as the new Prime Minister. Mr. Mosisili chose to dissolve parliament instead of resigning from the post in favour of Mr. Moleleki. King Letsie III subsequently dissolved parliament thus paving the way to the snap elections held in June 2017.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
12
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
40%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
42.5%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
4
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
All Basotho Convention party (ABC), Alliance of Democrats (AD), Basotho National Party (BNP), Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total | Majority | Proportional |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Basotho Convention (ABC) | 51 | 50 | 1 |
| Democratic Congress (DC) | 30 | 26 | 4 |
| Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Alliance of Democrats (AD) | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| Movement for Economic Change (MEC) | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Basotho National Party (BNP) | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Popular Front For Democracy (PFD) | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Basotho Congress Party (BCP) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| National Independence Party (NIP) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic Party of Lesotho (DPL) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
95
Number of women elected
27
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
22.5%
Other notes
Note on the number of members:
In accordance with Article 63 (1) and Article 64 (1) of the Constitution, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker may be elected "either from among the persons who are members [of the National Assembly] or from among other persons". The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, who assumed the post in June 2017, are not elected members of the National Assembly. The current legislature thus comprises 122 members in all: 120 elected members, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Note:
Elections in three constituencies were not held in June 2017 due to the passing on of candidates. The All Basotho Convention (ABC) won the three seats in differed elections held on 30 September, thereby increasing its share from 48 to 51 seats. The distribution of seats above reflects the results of the differed elections. The number of women remained at 27 out of 122 members.
In accordance with Article 63 (1) and Article 64 (1) of the Constitution, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker may be elected "either from among the persons who are members [of the National Assembly] or from among other persons". The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, who assumed the post in June 2017, are not elected members of the National Assembly. The current legislature thus comprises 122 members in all: 120 elected members, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Note:
Elections in three constituencies were not held in June 2017 due to the passing on of candidates. The All Basotho Convention (ABC) won the three seats in differed elections held on 30 September, thereby increasing its share from 48 to 51 seats. The distribution of seats above reflects the results of the differed elections. The number of women remained at 27 out of 122 members.
Sources
Sources:
National Assembly (13.06.2017, 15.06.2017, 02.11.2017, 03.11.2017, 14.11.2017)
Independent Electoral Commission
BBC
Lesotho Times
Al Jazeera
Africa Research Institute
African Arguments
News 24
National Assembly (13.06.2017, 15.06.2017, 02.11.2017, 03.11.2017, 14.11.2017)
Independent Electoral Commission
BBC
Lesotho Times
Al Jazeera
Africa Research Institute
African Arguments
News 24
Women Directly Elected
27
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
95
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
27
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
12.06.2017
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Sephiri
Enoch Motanyane
(Male)
Date of election
12.06.2017