Millionaire wins Lesotho vote but no majority: officials
Updated | By AFP
A millionaire political novice won the most votes in legislative elections in Lesotho but fell short of securing a parliamentary majority that could have ended long-running political gridlock, officials said on Monday.
Revolution for Prosperity, a party set up only six months ago by businessman Sam Matekane, 64, won 56 out of 120 seats in parliament, according to final results published by the southern African country's electoral commission.
The small mountain kingdom has been governed for the past decade by a string of coalition governments that have proved fractious and frail, and no premier has served out a full five-year term.
Matekane, who styles himself as a champion of the country's business community and was considered an outsider in the vote, came close to an outright win but will now have to secure the support of smaller parties to form a government.
The Democratic Congress party led by Mathibeli Mokhothu came in second securing 29 lawmakers, according to the Independent Electoral Commission.
The All Basotho Convention party, which led the outgoing government, suffered a sharp drop in support, securing only eight seats.
Believed to be Lesotho's richest man, Matekane started off raising donkeys before making a fortune in diamond mining and other business ventures.
Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa, ranks among the world's poorest countries, with more than 30 percent of its population living on less than $1.90 a day.
A constitutional monarchy where the king has no formal power, Lesotho has long been beset by political turmoil that has hampered development.
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