Maseru, Nov. 22 — At least 66 percent of Basotho say Parliamentarians (MP’s) serve their own interests rather than voters interests.
The national representative sample of 1200 adult Basotho in March 2024, otherwise Afrobarometer survey revealed this as per Advision Lesotho National Investigator, Mrs. Libuseng Malephane presentation of the survey in the National Assembly today.
She alluded that 21 percent say MP’s serve the interests of their political parties and only one in 10 survey participants, 11 percent believe MPs act in the interests of all Basotho.
Over and above that, Mrs. Malephane stated the ordinary citizens further expressed Parliamentarians do not even listen to their voices while also stating they are corrupt.
Findings further show that Basotho wants a Parliament that responds to voters’ demands, being responsible for enacting laws and holding the executive to account.
While some members of the House were against the study indicating people asked have no idea how the House operate, the difference between the House and Executive others strongly believe the survey is a mirror demanding members to introspect.
“We must introspect, we must not be angry, research is what it is and we should take it, individually and collectively we owe it to voters to serve them,” Parliamentarian Mootsi Lehata said.
Lesotho is a parliamentary democracy whose legislature consists of two chambers, the Senate and the National Assembly generally referred to as Parliament in Lesotho.
The National Assembly is made up of 120 elected members, elected in a mixed-member electoral system that is 80 seats to first-past-the-post system, while the other 40 are elected on a proportional representation basis.
The roles of the legislature are said to be making laws, holding the executive accountable and representing the people.
