…as it cautions against ‘Best Loser’ model
…studies simultaneous polls to cut costs and boost voter turnout
Ithabeleng Qhasho
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is exploring the possibility of holding National Assembly and local government elections simultaneously as part of efforts to improve electoral efficiency, reduce costs and increase voter participation.
The Commission also says it will provide Parliament with independent technical advice on the proposed Private Member’s Bill seeking to introduce the “Best Loser” electoral model, cautioning that international research has revealed several challenges associated with the system.
Speaking during a media briefing in Maseru yesterday, IEC Chairperson, Reverend Dr John Maphephe, said the Commission was engaged in technical discussions with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship to examine the legal, operational, financial and policy implications of harmonising the two elections.
He emphasised that the discussions remained at a technical stage and that no decision had yet been made.
“The exercise is intended to identify practical approaches that could improve electoral efficiency, increase voter participation, reduce the cost of elections and minimise voter fatigue,” Dr Maphephe said.
He explained that the exercise would also determine the legislative, institutional and operational reforms required before such a system could be introduced.
Dr Maphephe stressed that any proposal emerging from the discussions would only proceed after extensive consultations with stakeholders and in line with constitutional and legislative requirements.
As part of the Commission’s efforts to study harmonised electoral systems, IEC Commissioner, Pontšo ‘Mamatlere Matete, announced that she would serve as one of the Commission’s long-term election observers during Zambia’s General Elections on 13 August 2026.
She said the assignment formed part of an IEC study mission to observe how harmonised elections were conducted in practice.
“Zambia will hold four elections simultaneously—Presidential, National Assembly, Mayoral and Local Government elections—providing an opportunity for the Lesotho delegation to observe the process and engage with various stakeholders, including parliamentarians and political parties represented both inside and outside Parliament,” Ms Matete said.
Meanwhile, the IEC has accepted Parliament’s invitation to make technical submissions on the proposed Best Loser Bill.
Dr Maphephe said the Commission would provide objective, professional and evidence-based advice on the likely implications of the proposed reforms.
He said the advice would focus on issues including election administration, constituency delimitation where applicable, ballot design, voter education, election technology and election results management.
Expanding on the Commission’s position, another IEC Commissioner, Dr Chelete Monyane, said research conducted by the Commission had identified several concerns with the Best Loser model in countries where similar systems had been implemented.
He said the IEC’s study examined experiences in Japan, Germany and Mexico, where comparable electoral systems had exposed challenges including democratic mismatch, gender exclusion and implementation difficulties.
Dr Monyane added that within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mauritius had also experienced challenges relating to representation and democratic balance under its Best Loser system.
“As the IEC, our responsibility is to provide technical, professional and evidence-based advice. Our research shows that the Best Loser model has raised a number of concerns in the countries we studied, and these findings will inform the advice we present to Parliament,” Dr Monyane said.
The proposed Best Loser model seeks to replace Lesotho’s current party-list proportional representation (PR) system by awarding compensatory seats to the best-performing unsuccessful constituency candidates instead of candidates nominated through party lists. The proposal, contained in the National Assembly Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced by Revolution for Prosperity legislator, Mootsi Lehata, with the support of All Basotho Convention PR MP, Lebohang Hlaele.
Despite the ongoing debate over electoral reforms, Dr Maphephe reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting reforms that strengthen the integrity, credibility and inclusiveness of elections in Lesotho.
The IEC also confirmed that, in addition to its long-term observers, it would deploy short-term observers to Zambia through the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission (SADC-EOM) and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) as part of regional efforts to promote democratic governance and strengthen electoral credibility.
