Lesotho general election, 1970

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

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