Lesotho vote: The people want reform and change
Voting has begun in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho – home to a little over two million people.
More than 50 political parties are vying for a chance to govern. In reality though it’s a race between four major parties including the newly launched party Revolution for Prosperity (RFP).
This is the first election the leaders of the four parties are contesting in, so whoever wins, Lesotho will have an untested prime minister.
Some hope a new and untainted leader will help change the country’s political fortunes.
The election comes after politicians in the country landlocked by South Africa, failed to pass a bill calling for constitutional reforms earlier this year which were meant to help end years of political instability.
Lesotho’s politics have been marred by coup plots, infighting within parties and floor-crossing which has often lead to unstable coalition governments.
Another concern the reforms would have addressed is the country’s overly influential military, who have for years played the role of kingmakers.
They would have tried to reduce the army’s political sway.
Political wrangling aside, the people of Lesotho want a government that will address rampant unemployment, food insecurity for hundreds of thousands of people and help to rebuild the criminal justice system – which is seen as ineffective and compromised