UNDP's Democratic Governance programme is focused on supporting the promotion of transparent, accountable and effective governance at all levels, with specific emphasis on capacity strengthening of governance institutions, including Parliament and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), as well as supporting the decentralisation process.

Since restoration of democratic rule in 1993, UNDP has worked hand-in-hand with the Government of Lesotho, political parties, the IEC, civil society and development partners to strengthen the country’s democracy and to promote a culture of dialogue and negotiation for resolution of national issues. Under a new, and more inclusive Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral model, and following an elaborate registration process, a credible general election was held in May 2002. Since then, Lesotho has made great progress in deepening democracy including successfully running the country’s first ever local elections held in April 2005. A noteworthy feature of the local election was that one third of all seats were reserved for women candidates.

Recent programmes have focused on continuing to support deepening democracy following the national Election in 2007; effective public service delivery; decentralisation; parliamentary capacity building; Lesotho’s participation in the APRM; capacity building of civil Society for effective civic engagement; and the protection and promotion of human rights in Lesotho through the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission.