Legislative branch Lesotho, in 36 editions.

none--the none - the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the military coup in
January 1986; note--a note - a National Constituent Assembly convened in June 1990
to rewrite the constitution and debate issues of national importance, but it
has no legislative authority

bicameral Parliament consisting of the Assembly or
lower house whose
members are chosen by popular election and the
Senate or upper house
whose members consist of the 22 principal chiefs
and 10 11 other members
appointed by the ruling party; election last held
in March 1993 (first
since 1971); all 65 seats in the Assembly were
won by the BCP

bicameral Parliament consisting of the Assembly or
lower house whose members are chosen by popular election and the
Senate or upper house whose members consist consists of the 33 members (the 22 principal chiefs
and 11 other
members appointed by the ruling party; party)
members elected by popular vote; election last held NA
in March 1993 (first since 1971); all 65 seats in the Assembly were
won (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by the party
NA; seats (65 total) BCP 65

bicameral Parliament
consists of 33 the Senate (33
members (the - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other
members appointed by the
ruling party)
and the Assembly (65 seats; members elected for a
five-year term by popular vote; election vote)
elections: last held NA
27 March 1993 (next to be held NA); results - by March 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party
- NA; seats (65 total) by party - BCP
65

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33
members - 22 members-22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the
ruling party) and the Assembly (65 seats; members elected for a
five-year term by popular vote)
elections: last held 27 March 1993 (next to be held by March in May 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; party-NA; seats by party - BCP
party-BCP 65
note: due to a schism in the BCP, Prime Minister Ntsu MOKHEHLE formed
the new Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD in June 1997, taking 42
seats away from the BCP, reducing it to 23 seats and the role of an
opposition party

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33
members-22 (33 members--22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the
the ruling party) and the Assembly (65 (80 seats; members elected for a
five-year term by
popular vote) vote for five-year terms); note--number of seats in the
Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election
elections: last held 27 March 1993 23 May 1998 (next to be held in May 1998) late 1999 or
early 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party-NA; party--LCD 61%; seats by party-BCP 65
note: due to a schism in the BCP, Prime Minister Ntsu MOKHEHLE formed party--LCD 79, BCP 1
note: results contested; LCD, with only 61% of the new Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD in June 1997, taking 42 vote, won 79 out
seats away from the BCP, reducing it to 23 seats and the role of an 80 parliamentary seats based on a historical political consensus
opposition party for a "winner take all" formula

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate
(33 members--22 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by
the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by
popular vote for five-year terms); note--number note - number of seats in the
Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election
elections: last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held in late 1999 or
early 2000) 2000; date to be determined by Interim Political Authority)
election results: percent of vote by party--LCD party - LCD 61%; seats by
party--LCD party - LCD 79, BCP BNP 1
note: results contested; LCD, with only 61% of opposition parties claimed the vote, won 79 out
of 80 parliamentary seats based on election was fraudulent and staged a historical political consensus
for coup; Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervened in September 1998 and restored order; the Interim Political Authority (IPA) was set up in December 1998 to create a "winner take all" formula new electoral system and conduct new elections within 18 months

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election
election; on 28 February 2001, the Senate approved expansion of the Assembly by a further 50 seats in the next election, which may be held as early as January 2002 elections: last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held in 2000; date to be determined by Interim Political Authority)
NA March 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 61%; 60.7%, BNP 24.5%, other 14.8%; seats by party - LCD 79, BNP 1
note: results contested; opposition parties claimed the election was fraudulent and staged a coup; Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervened in September 1998 and restored order; the Interim Political Authority (IPA) was set up in December 1998 to create a new electoral system and conduct new elections within 18 months elections.

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 65 to 80 to 120 in the May 1998 election; on 28 February 2001, the Senate approved expansion of the Assembly by a further 50 seats in the next election, which may be held as early as January 2002 election
elections: last held 23 25 May 1998 2002 (next to be held NA March 2001) May 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 60.7%, 54%, BNP 24.5%, 21%, LPC 7%, other 14.8%; 18%; seats by party - LCD 79, 76, BNP 1 note: results contested; opposition parties claimed the election was fraudulent and staged a coup; Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces intervened in September 1998 and restored order; the Interim Political Authority (IPA) was set up in December 1998 to create a new electoral system and conduct new elections. 21, LPC 5, other 18

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120 in the May 2002 election
elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC 7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120 in the May 2002 election
elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC 7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120 in the May 2002 election terms)
elections: last held 25 May 2002 17 February 2007 (next to be held by May 2007) in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC 7%, other 18%; NA; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 61, NIP 21, LPC 5, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 18 4

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)
elections:
last held 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for to serve five-year terms)
elections:
last held on 17 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, BNP 3, other 4

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:
last held on 17 February 2007 26 May 2012 (next to be held in 2012) 2017)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LCD 61, NIP 21, DC 48, ABC 17, LWP 10, ACP 4, 30, LCD 26, BNP 5, PFD 3, NIP 2, other 4 6

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed senators nominated by the ruling party) king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (120 seats, seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by popular simple majority vote and 40 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year 5-year terms)
elections:
last held on 26 May 2012 28 February 2015 (next to be held in 2017) 2020)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; DC 38.8%, ABC 38.1%, LCD, 10.0%, BNP 5.6%, PFD 1.7%, RCL 1.2%, NIP 1.0%, other 3.6%; seats by party - DC 48, 47, ABC 30, 46, LCD 26, 12, BNP 5, 7, PFD 3, NIP 2, other 6 RCL 2, NIP 1, MFP 1, BCP 1, LPC 1

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 February 2015 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DC 38.8%, 38.4%, ABC 38.1%, 37.8%, LCD, 10.0%, 9.9%, BNP 5.6%, 5.5%, PFD 1.7%, RCL 1.2%, NIP 1.0%, MFP 0.6%, BCP 0.5%, LPC 0.3%, other 3.6%; 3.1%; seats by party - DC 47, ABC 46, LCD 12, BNP 7, PFD 2, RCL 2, NIP 1, MFP 1, BCP 1, LPC 1

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by through proportional representation vote; representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 February 2015 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2020) 2022)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote votes by party - DC 38.4%, ABC 37.8%, LCD, 9.9%, 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9.0%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 5.5%, 4.1, PFD 1.7%, RCL 1.2%, NIP 1.0%, MFP 0.6%, BCP 0.5%, LPC 0.3%, 2.3%, other 3.1%; 5.9%; seats by party - DC 47, ABC 46, 48, DC 30, LCD 12, 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 7, 5, PFD 2, RCL 2, NIP 1, MFP 1, BCP 1, LPC 1 3, other 5, vacant 3

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9.0%, 9%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 48, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5, vacant 3

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last nominated by the king 11 July 2017 (next NA)
National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 25, women 8, percent of women 24.2%
National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 48, 51, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5, vacant 3 5; composition - men 95, women 27, percent of women 22.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.9%

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last nominated by the king 11 on July 2017 2022 (next NA) in late July 2027)
National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2017 7 October 2022 (next to be held in 2022) on October 2027)
election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 25, 26, women 8, 7, percent of women 24.2% 21.2%
National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, RFP 38.9%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9%, 24.7%, ABC 7.1%, BAP 5.4%, AD 7.3%, 4.0%, MEC 5.1%, 3.2%, LCD 2.3%, SR 2.1%, BNP 4.1, 1.4%, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; 0.9%, BCM 0.8%, MPS 0.8%, MIP 0.7%; seats by party - ABC 51, RFP 56, DC 30, LCD 11, 29, ABC 8, BAP 6, AD 9, 5, MEC 6, 4, LCD 3, SR 2, BNP 5, 1, PFD 3, other 5; 1,BCM 1, MPS 1, NIP 1, HOPE 1, TBD 1; composition - men 95, 87, women 27, 28, percent of women 22.5%; 23.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.9%

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last nominated appointed by the king on July in November 2022 (next in late July 2027) to be appointed 2028)
National Assembly - last held on 7 October 2022 (next to be held on October 2027) in February 2028)
election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 26, 25, women 7, 8, percent of women 21.2% 24.2%
National Assembly - percent of votes by party - RFP 38.9%, DC 24.7%, ABC 7.1%, BAP 5.4%, AD 4.0%, MEC 3.2%, LCD 2.3%, SR 2.1%, BNP 1.4%, PFD 0.9%, BCM 0.8%, MPS 0.8%, MIP 0.7%; seats by party - RFP 56, DC 29, ABC 8, BAP 6, AD 5, MEC 4, LCD 3, SR 2, BNP 1, PFD 1,BCM 1, MPS 1, NIP 1, HOPE 1, TBD 1; composition - men 87, 88, women 28, 32, percent of women 23.3%; 26.6%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.9%

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last appointed by the king in November 2022 (next to be appointed 2028)
National Assembly - last held on 7 October 2022 (next to be held in February 2028)
election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 25, women 8, percent of percentage women 24.2%
National Assembly - percent of votes by party - RFP 38.9%, DC 24.7%, ABC 7.1%, BAP 5.4%, AD 4.0%, MEC 3.2%, LCD 2.3%, SR 2.1%, BNP 1.4%, PFD 0.9%, BCM 0.8%, MPS 0.8%, MIP 0.7%; seats by party - RFP 56, DC 29, ABC 8, BAP 6, AD 5, MEC 4, LCD 3, SR 2, BNP 1, PFD 1,BCM 1, BCM 1, MPS 1, NIP 1, HOPE 1, TBD 1; composition - men 88, women 32, percent of 90, women 26.6%; 30, percentage 25%; note - total Parliament percent of percentage women 22.9% 24.8%