Bongiwe Zihlangu

MASERU — Democratic Congress (DC) secretary general Ralechate ‘Mokose says his party is set to appeal a judgment by the High Court overturning his party’s election victory in Tele constituency in last May’s general election.
“We consulted our lawyers and weighed our options in the process. We have resolved that this matter needs to be challenged in court. But I am yet to announce when we will file our appeal papers,” ‘Mokose said.
“But at the same time we need to be prepared in case we lose the court case.”
The High Court last month nullified Ndiwuhleli Ndlomose’s election victory in Tele constituency saying there had been massive irregularities during the voting process.
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy’s losing candidate, Doreen Chaoana-Mapetja, had petitioned the court to overturn Ndlomose’s election victory and order a fresh election.
Ndlomose won 2 270 votes with Chaoana-Mapetja claiming 2 256 votes.
‘Mokose also lamented the fact that there was “no ongoing voter registration taking place”.
“There seems to be no preparedness by the IEC to hold the by-elections. The law clearly directs that two weeks after elections the registration of voters should be resumed,” ‘Mokose said.
“The weirdest thing is that even parliament has not been briefed of the situation in the IEC and why there is no continuous registration.”