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World

Mountain kingdom of Lesotho holds early election after collapse of coalition government

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Voters queue to cast their votes in Maseru, Lesotho, Saturday, Feb 28, 2015. The small mountain kingdom goes to the polls in early elections in the hope of restoring order after a coup attempt last year, but there is concern that a rejection of the results by some parties could spark more violence, jeopardizing hopes of improvement for the country's poor majority. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 2 of 2

    Voters queue to cast their votes in Maseru, Lesotho, Saturday, Feb 28, 2015. The small mountain kingdom goes to the polls in early elections in the hope of restoring order after a coup attempt last year, but there is concern that a rejection of the results by some parties could spark more violence, jeopardizing hopes of improvement for the country's poor majority. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

JOHANNESBURG – The southern African nation of Lesotho is holding an early election aimed at overcoming tension among political factions that has led to violence among security forces since last year.

Voting was proceeding smoothly on Saturday in the mountain kingdom, one of the few countries on the continent to have experienced coalition rule. Analysts say there is a possibility that no party will win a majority, meaning the country could end up with another coalition government.

Last year, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane suspended parliament to avoid a vote of no-confidence after his coalition government splintered. He fled to South Africa, alleging he was the target of a coup attempt, and returned under the protection of South African forces.

The parliament has 120 seats and the country has 1.2 million registered voters.