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 Decentralization in Lesotho is enshrined in the national constitution. Section 106 of the Constitution obliges Parliament to establish local government. The Local Government Act of 1997 stipulates the powers and functions of local governments and the Local Government Elections Act 1998, outlines procedures, rules, and regulations for the conduct of local elections. In addition to these legislative documents the Programme for the Implementation of Local Government in Lesotho (2004) defines the broad objectives of the decentralization process.
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Lesotho is divided into 10 administrative districts with their own councils, 128 community councils, and one municipal council, being Maseru City. The Ministry of Local Government spearheads the decentralization process. An Inter-ministerial Task force for Decentralization was established in 2002 to guide the process, focusing on fiscal and economic decentralization. One specific issue is the equitable and effective distribution of national government grants to specific local authorities. There is no Local Government Association in Lesotho.
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Lesotho held its first post-independence local government elections in 2005 using a quota system that reserved one-third of electoral divisions for women candidates. In these elections, 53% of the victorious candidates were women. New local government elections were due in 2010 but have been postponed until the second half of 2011, awaiting a planned revision of local government legislation issued in 2004. This revision focuses primarily on reducing the number of councils increasing efficiency and enhancing the position and role of women in local government. Planned reforms and development aid from 2007 onwards are strongly committed to strengthening local government. Improving public service accessibility through the use of modern communication technology as well as enhancing general public infrastructure.
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