LESOTHO PLANS POLL IN 2002

LESOTHOS Independent Electoral Commission announced on Wednesday that the country’s long awaited general elections will be held in 2002, on a date yet to be announced. IEC chairman Leshele Thoahlane said eligible voters would be able to register to vote between August 13 and September 9 at 1_300 registration centres. The final voters’ list is expected to be completed by the end of January 2002. The elections follow the aborted 1998 general elections which gave the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy party 79 seats in a an 80 seat legislature and led to nationwide riots. South Africa sent in its army to restore peace. – African Eye News Service