Lesotho general election, 1970
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Lesotho
on 27 and 28 January 1970, the first since independence in 1966. They were won by the opposition Basutoland Congress Party, but without announcing the results, the ruling Basotholand National Party
declared a state of emergency
, annulling the election, dissolving parliament
and suspending the constitution. King Moshoeshoe II
was sent into exile after expressing disapproval of the actions.
The country was not returned to democratic rule until the 1993 elections
, which were again won by the BCP.
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
on 27 and 28 January 1970, the first since independence in 1966. They were won by the opposition Basutoland Congress Party, but without announcing the results, the ruling Basotholand National Party
Basotho National Party
The Basotho National Party is a political party in Lesotho, founded in the 1959 as the Basutoland National Party by Leabua Jonathan. He was Prime Minister from 1965 until the coup of 1986....
declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
, annulling the election, dissolving parliament
Parliament of Lesotho
The Parliament of Lesotho consists of two chambers:*The Senate *The National Assembly -External links:*****...
and suspending the constitution. King Moshoeshoe II
Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
Moshoeshoe II , previously known as Constantine Bereng Seeiso, was the paramount chief of Lesotho, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso from 1960 until the country gained full independence from Britain in 1966...
was sent into exile after expressing disapproval of the actions.
The country was not returned to democratic rule until the 1993 elections
Lesotho general election, 1993
General elections were held in Lesotho between 27 and 29 March 1993, the first full elections since the ruling Basotho National Party annulled the results of the 1970 elections, which they had lost to the Basutoland Congress Party. Of the 736,930 registered voters, 532,678 cast valid votes.The BCP...
, which were again won by the BCP.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basutoland Congress Party | 151,883 | 49.8 | 36 | |
| Basotholand National Party Basotho National Party The Basotho National Party is a political party in Lesotho, founded in the 1959 as the Basutoland National Party by Leabua Jonathan. He was Prime Minister from 1965 until the coup of 1986.... |
104,537 | 42.2 | 23 | |
| Marematlou Freedom Party Marematlou Freedom Party The Marematlou Freedom Party is a political party in Lesotho. It was originally formed in 1956 by Chief Seepheephe Matete and members of his Bafokeng clan as a pressure group called the Marema Tlou that succeeded in installing Constantine Bereng Seeiso as paramount chief in 1960... |
12,666 | 7.3 | 1 | |
| United Democratic Party United Democratic Party There are several political parties called the United Democratic Party.* United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party, Cyprus* United Democratic Party... |
668 | 0.2 | 0 | New |
| Independents | 861 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 6,435 | |||
| Total | 305,033 | 100 | 60 | 0 |
| Source: Nohlen et al | ||||