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.
07.10.2022
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
14.07.2022
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
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
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.
65
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Revolution for Prosperity (RFP, a new party formed by Diamond tycoon Sam Matekane in March 2022) came first but failed to win an outright majority. It took 56 of the 120 seats at stake. The Democratic Congress (DC) remained the second largest party, while Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro’s All Basotho Convention (ABC) came third, winning only eight seats, down from 51 in 2017. On 11 October, Mr. Matekane announced that he had reached a coalition agreement with the Alliance of Democrats (AD, which won five seats) and the Movement for Economic Change (MEC, four seats). On 14 October, Prime Minister Majoro tendered his resignation to King Letsie III, paving the way for Mr. Matekane to be sworn into the post on 28 October.
The newly elected National Assembly comprises a total of 32 women: 31 who are directly elected, and the Deputy Speaker, who was appointed from outside parliament (see note). The Senate, which comprises 22 Principal Chiefs, and 11 members appointed by the King, was renewed on 3 November. It re-elected Ms. Mamonaheng Mokitimi as its President.
Note:
In accordance with Articles 63(1) and 64(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker may be elected "either from among the persons who are members thereof … [of the National Assembly] or from among other persons". Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were appointed from outside parliament. The legislature thus comprises 122 people of whom 120 were directly elected.
The newly elected National Assembly comprises a total of 32 women: 31 who are directly elected, and the Deputy Speaker, who was appointed from outside parliament (see note). The Senate, which comprises 22 Principal Chiefs, and 11 members appointed by the King, was renewed on 3 November. It re-elected Ms. Mamonaheng Mokitimi as its President.
Note:
In accordance with Articles 63(1) and 64(1) of the Constitution, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker may be elected "either from among the persons who are members thereof … [of the National Assembly] or from among other persons". Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were appointed from outside parliament. The legislature thus comprises 122 people of whom 120 were directly elected.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
14
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.
21.54%
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.
46.67%
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
3
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Revolution For Prosperity (RFP), Alliance of Democrats (AD), Movement for Economic Change (MEC)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total | Majority | Proportional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) | 56 | 56 | 0 |
| Democratic Congress (DC) | 29 | 18 | 11 |
| All Basotho Convention (ABC) | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Basotho Action Party (BAP) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Alliance of Democrats (AD) | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Movement for Economic Change (MEC) | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Basotho National Party (BNP) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mphatlalatsane (HOPE) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mpulule Political Summit (MPS) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| National Independent Party (NIP) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Popular Front For Democracy (PFD) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
88
Number of women elected
31
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.
25.83%
Other notes
Note on the timing of election:
Article 84(1) of the Constitution stipulates that a general election is held “within three months after any dissolution of Parliament as the King may appoint”. Given that the outgoing legislature (elected in June 2017) was dissolved on 14 July 2022 and elections were held on 7 October, the 2022 elections are considered to have been held upon normal expiry.
Article 84(1) of the Constitution stipulates that a general election is held “within three months after any dissolution of Parliament as the King may appoint”. Given that the outgoing legislature (elected in June 2017) was dissolved on 14 July 2022 and elections were held on 7 October, the 2022 elections are considered to have been held upon normal expiry.
Sources
National Assembly (22.11.2022)
https://www.iec.org.ls/2022-results/
https://www.iec.org.ls/download/nae_2022-pr-seats-allocation/
https://www.gov.ls
https://www.gov.ls/download/lesotho-constitution/
BBC Monitoring
https://www.reuters.com
https://www.africanews.com
https://www.france24.com/en
https://lestimes.com
https://www.iec.org.ls/2022-results/
https://www.iec.org.ls/download/nae_2022-pr-seats-allocation/
https://www.gov.ls
https://www.gov.ls/download/lesotho-constitution/
BBC Monitoring
https://www.reuters.com
https://www.africanews.com
https://www.france24.com/en
https://lestimes.com
Women Directly Elected
31
Women Other
1
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.
89
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.
32
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
89
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.
25.10.2022
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.
Tlohang
Sekhamane
(Male)
Date of election
25.10.2022