Maseru — The Lesotho Council of Non-governmental Organisations (LCN) held a briefing session for its observers who observed the 2nd June South African general election.

The purpose of the session was to brief and share experiences with interested parties in Lesotho, such as the Interim Political Authority (IPA) government officials, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and parliamentarians.

Most of the participants were NGO members of the democracy and human rights commission of the LCN and the Lesotho Network for conflict management. The meeting observed that though the South African elections were a success there were some problems which related to not giving enough voter education, the use bar-coded Identity documents and election administration/logistical problems, they did not affect integrity and results of the elections.

The meeting also noted that he South African election experiences can be used as a basis for Lesotho's election, that is such things as:

1. The level of participation of political parties in the administration and management of the elections.

2. The accessibility of the IEC to political parties, which encouraged transparency and accountability.

3. The high level of political tolerance among contesting political parties.

4. The creation of conflict management processes at all levels of IEC structures.

The meeting agree that the above polls points must form the pillars for the next Lesotho General elections and that civil society, through the LCN, must start implementing activities aimed at achieving them. The meeting outlined areas of priority which the LCN, in collaboration with the Lesotho Network conflict management, must undertake, these are: - Training in voter education for political party agents.

- Joint training programmes with IEC for IEC officials. - Training of NGO observers/monitor.

- Training of interested role player who might be used as presiding officers. The meeting expressed very serious concerns about the lack of substantial progress made by the IPA by preparing for the next general elections, in the last nine months.

It noted again with concern that since IPA is made up of the same politicians who were instrumental in last year's crisis. It seems that they do not manifest the same level of seriousness in enabling the IPA to deliver on its mandate.