Maseru, July 27 — Thursday marked announcement of candidates for the upcoming Local Government elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
People in different political parties’ regalia were seen in different Electoral Division (ED) offices within the Manonyane Community Council Roma supporting their candidates.
Unlike in the October 2022, National Assembly elections where 32 political parties were contesting in the Maama Constituency, for the Local Government elections the number of political parties ranges between six and five.
In the four EDs that the Agency was able to visit, the political parties contesting include Alliance of Democrats (AD), All Basotho Convention (ABC), Basotho National Party (BNP), Basotho Action Party (BAP), Basotho Liberation Movement (BNP), Democratic Congress (DC) and Revolution For Prosperity (RFP).
The four EDs are Roma Primary, National University of Lesotho (NUL), Mokhokhong and Khobeng. Roma Primary with three independent candidates, NUL with five, Mokhokhong and Khobeng with one candidate respectively.
Speaking in an interview, Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Roma Primary ED, Ms. Nthabeleng Lelakane said that there are only six party candidates and three independent candidates saying that they are aged between 36 and 69. She added that there are three women and six men.
While another ARO at Mokhokhong ED Mr. Batloung Lillane said that there is one independent candidate and five party candidates comprising of two women and four men. He added that their age ranges between 52 and 75.
On the other hand, one independent candidate under NUL ED Mr. Thabang Qhobosheane said that he decided to be independent because for years candidates have been under different political parties but they brought nothing better to the community.
He said that he will work hard with other Councillors when he gets into office to ensure that there are access roads especially at Hata-Butle and that when allocating land, it is in such a way that passages are open between yards or households.
On the issue of shacks along NUL fence, he said that the incoming council will have to work hard to find and provide land where all street vendors would be housed saying that will contribute to clean environment.
Another Mr. Tsoating Pitso of BLM under Roma Primary ED told the Agency that he will work together with the community to ensure that they implement developments such as access roads, rehabilitation of dongas and fighting crime.
On one hand, Mokhokhong ED candidate Mr. Thabo Marole under RFP said that his ED has no development at all saying that there is no electricity, water, clinic, church, roads and even pay point for elderly pension.
He said that they have to travel to Roma for some of the services like health, church and elderly pension to mention a few.
He said however the area has indigenous plants, sandstone and water which he said for job creation they will work together to have projects like sandstone cutting and water bottling as water sources within the area are many.
Meanwhile after introduction, the candidates were given time to outline their manifestos to the people.
For the Local Government elections there are nine EDs namely Roma Primary, Khobeng, NUL, Liphakoeng, Mokhokhong, Popa, Elia, Monyooe and St. Michael’s.
The Local Government elections will be on September 29.
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