Mohale FM THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has reinstated four political parties it deregistered in December 2025 following an out-of-court settlement reached after the parties challenged the decision in the High Court.
The reinstated parties are the Basutoland Democratic Congress (BDC), Bahlabani Ba Tokoloho Movement, Basutoland Democratic National Party (BDNP), and the Lesotho Economic Freedom Fighters (LEFF).
The four parties were among five removed from the IEC register in December last year for allegedly failing to comply with provisions of the National Assembly Electoral Act of 2011. Their deregistration had reduced the number of registered political parties from 42 to 37.
However, following the settlement and a court order issued by Justice Fumane Khabo, the four parties have now been restored to the IEC register. The parties had challenged the IEC’s decision, arguing that they had complied with the requirement to submit annual paid-up membership lists.
They further alleged that the deregistration was politically motivated because they had opposed attempts to extend the tenure of the previous IEC commissioners without following due process.
Although Justice Khabo is yet to deliver a written judgment, BDC leader, Molibeli Soro, confirmed yesterday that the parties had successfully challenged the IEC’s decision.
