The Lesotho Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) led a march through the capital Maseru on a campaign to increase voter turnout from 46% in 2015 to 85% in the upcoming 3 June elections.
IEC Commissioner Advocate Mamosebi Pholo says it is clear that many Basotho have lost faith in the ability of democracy to change their lives, but they should know that not participating in elections will not help their plight.
In the first elections in 1965, Lesotho saw a voter turnout of 62%, the highest was 82% in 1970, and however it has declined steadily down to 46.6% in 2015. Now the IEC is on an ambitious mission to increase it to 85%. They marched carrying banners and wearing T-shirts with 85% and singing songs intended to show the importance of every individual making their mark
“It has become apparent that people are tired of voting, they are saying we have been where we are in terms of economy, in terms of development since independence so it seems going to the polls does not help that is why we are saying people have misconceptions about elections. We have to try and speed up their enthusiasm into voting because unless we vote we cannot change government, we cannot hold the leaders accountable,” says Pholo.
With less than two months to go to the 3 June election civil society is hitting the ground running “The main task is to deliver door to door, activity but remember in a household we are expecting to meet four individuals and if you multiply by number of voter educators we have deployed, we are hopeful that we will make it, we are going to do public gatherings and voter bonanza,” says Executive Director of the Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations Seabata Motsamai.
One point two million voters were registered in 2015; more young people say they will make the difference required this time around.
“If I don’t vote there is nobody who can hear me. I’m participating to portray to other youth that it is important for us to vote so they can take example from me and follow me and cast their votes.”
– By Nthakoana Ngatane
