Lesotho general election, 1970

Lesotho

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General elections were held in Lesotho on 27 and 28 January 1970, the first since independence in 1966. They were won by the opposition Basutoland Congress Party,^[1] but without announcing the results, the ruling Basotholand National Party carried out the 1970 Lesotho coup d'état by declaring a state of emergency, annulling the election, dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution.^[2] King Moshoeshoe II was sent into exile after expressing disapproval of the actions.^[2]

Leabua Jonathan then dictated the country until 1986 when a military coup d'état led by Major General Metsing Lekhanya deposed him. Lesotho was not returned to democratic rule until the 1993 elections, which were again won by the BCP in a landslide victory.

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Basutoland Congress Party	151,883	49.8	36	+11
Basotholand National Party	104,537	42.2	23	–8
Marematlou Freedom Party	12,666	7.3	1	–3
United Democratic Party	668	0.2	0	New
Independents	861	0.3	0	0
Invalid/blank votes	6,435	–	–	–
Total	305,033	100	60	0
Source: Nohlen et al.

References

↑ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p502 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
1 2 Lesotho: Authoritarian rule, 1970-1991 EISA

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