Maseru, Sept. 30 — Unlike in the past when Basotho would gather in numbers at Manthabiseng Convention Centre for announcement of elections results, it is not the case this time as the centre has been quiet since morning hours.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is expected to announce the local government elections results today after they were held countrywide on Friday.
The Agency only saw IEC staff, the police, members of the media and other officials from different organisations at the Convention Centre around 9:00 am on Saturday.
In an interview with the Agency, IEC Civic and Voter Education Manager Mrs. Lydia Macheli clarified that only people who received invitation cards are allowed to enter the centre’s premises, saying those who are not invited particularly political parties supporters usually stand outside the premises.
She further said she could not state the specific time in which the election results will begin to be announced as it takes a long process before they could be sent to IEC.
She indicated that the ballot papers are counted at the polling stations immediately after the voting process, then taken to the Assistant Returning Officer and recounted, then to the Returning Officer and are taken to the district and recounted as well.
She added that the districts then send the results to IEC and the latter announces them.
She therefore indicated that all is well set at Manthabiseng Convention Centre and the commission is ready to announce the results once it receives them.
Meanwhile, at least 1950 independent males, 583 independent females, 3428 party males and 1785 party females contested for local government elections.
Moreover the local government councils are made up of community councils which are 64 in number. In addition there are 11 Urban Councils, the Maseru Municipal Council and 950 Electoral Divisions.
