Lesotho Validates New Voter Registration Strategy Ahead of 2027 Elections

MASERU — The Independent Electoral Commission, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union, this week held a high-level validation meeting in Maseru to finalise a new national Voter Registration Strategy, marking a concrete step toward overhauling the country’s electoral systems ahead of the 2027/2028 general elections.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from government, civil society and international partners to formally endorse the strategy, which forms part of the Inclusive Lesotho Project, an M85 million initiative designed to modernise electoral processes and restore public confidence in the voter roll.

At the heart of the strategy is a plan to resolve long-standing problems with the existing voter roll, including the removal of deceased persons from the register and the integration of more accurate civil registry data. The strategy also charts a transition toward sustainable registration software and digital tools intended to give the IEC full ownership and security over voter data, reducing dependence on external systems.

The strategy places particular emphasis on lowering barriers for marginalised groups, with targeted outreach plans for youth, women and persons with disabilities. It also seeks to align Lesotho’s registration processes with the recommendations of the 2022 EU Election Observation Mission, which identified a range of electoral reforms the country was urged to implement before its next general election.

Officials framed the validation as a shift from planning to implementation, with attention now turning to how effectively the strategy is translated into practice in the period leading up to the election. The collaboration between the IEC, UNDP and EU is intended to signal a shared commitment to building a registration system in which every eligible citizen can participate with confidence.