Lesotho held its first ever local government elections on 30 April 2005. The elections were a major step towards institutionalising grassroots democracy through direct and active involvement of Basotho in their own governance >>

Each Community Council is composed of between nine and 15 elected councillors and a maximum of two chiefs who are nominated by the gazetted chiefs in that Community Council area. Community Councils perform a range of functions as specified in the Second Schedule of the Local Government Act. In the interim phase, due to the immediate challenges posed by inadequate resources and capacities, Community Councils access staff and other resources from District Councils >>.

The thrust of local government, as envisaged by the Government of Lesotho, is to improve service delivery and bring services closer to the people . >>

Councils transact their business in meetings. Section 18 of the Local Government Act, as amended, stipulates that Councils should not meet more than twice a month. Council meetings are open to the public except when in the opinion of the Chairperson, or by resolution of Council, it is decided that the subject matter is confidential therefore the public should be excluded.

Technical officers ensure that Councillors have all the required information and materials to enable them to conduct Council business efficiently and effectively.

Local councils have a statutory mandate to formulate bills and pass them into by-laws for the purpose of controlling and regulating matters which they are by law empowered to control and regulate.