A millionaire political novice won the most votes in legislative elections in Lesotho but fell short of securing a parliamentary majority that could have ended long-running political gridlock, officials said on Monday.
Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), a party set up only six months ago by businessman Sam Matekane, 64, won 56 out of 120 seats in parliament, according to final results published by the southern African country’s electoral commission.
The small mountain kingdom has been governed for the past decade by a string of coalition governments that have proved fractious and frail, and no premier has served out a full five-year term.
“Thousands of voters across the entire country endured long queues to exercise their democratic right,” said Mphasa Mokhochane, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission.
Matekane, who styles himself as a champion of the country’s business community and was considered an outsider in the vote, came close to an outright win but will now have to secure the support of smaller parties to form a government.
“His track record and people’s anger towards other parties won him votes,” said Tlohang Letsie, a politics lecturer at the National University of Lesotho.
“People see him as their messiah and that has its own pressure. He will have to work hard to make people… happy.”
The Democratic Congress party led by Mathibeli Mokhothu came in second securing 29 lawmakers.
The All Basotho Convention party, which led the outgoing government, suffered a sharp drop in support, winning only eight seats.
Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa, ranks among the world’s poorest countries, with more than 30 percent of its population living on less than $1.90 a day.
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