Chapter three: Democracy and good political governance Best practice 3.2: Constitutional monarchy The constitution of Lesotho of 1993 established the constitutional monarchy. This was affirmation of the trust and reverence that the Basotho have for their traditional form of governance, as well as a display of confidence that it can coexist with a state system derived from foreign influences. Chapter I of the constitution entrenches it as the supreme law of the land of the Basotho kingdom. Chapter V defines the powers, functions and responsibilities of the king in the democratic dispensation and clarifies the procedures for succession, regency and the functions of the College of Chiefs. There are sections that also determine the remuneration, taxation and other procedural arrangements for the functioning of the Office of the King. Chapter VI, which deals with Parliament, defines the inclusion and functions of the king in Parliament, thereby specifying the role of the king in legislative matters. Further, section 83 of the same chapter deals with the role of the king in the prologue and dissolution of Parliament. Chapter VIII, which deals with the executive, specifies the king as the executive authority and defines the relationships of the king with the prime minister, Cabinet and other state agencies, including the Council of State. Source: Constitution; CRM Findings. Best practice 3.3: Electoral system reform The IEC was established subsequent to a constitutional amendment in 1997. It is responsible for the administration of elections for the National Assembly and local government, as well as for referendums. In 2002, an MMP system was adopted after substantial consultations among political parties and other stakeholders. The system combines the constituency elections for 80 members of Parliament elected on the FPTP basis and a PR compensatory system for 40 members. The negotiated compromise is highly regarded for having affirmed the maturity of the Basotho in finding their own solutions to political conflict. The process has improved interparty dialogue, has encouraged inclusiveness and broader representation in the National Assembly, and has generally brought about relative peace. Source: CRM Findings. 66 iii. Recommendations 199. The APR Panel recommends that Lesotho: • Adopt a single-list ballot for both the constituency and the PR components of the general elections. (Government of Lesotho, IEC, international cooperating partners) • Review the decentralisation process with the objective of identifying measures that could expedite it and provide certainty regarding its direction. (Government of Lesotho, IEC, international cooperating partners)