They were won by the opposition Basutoland Congress Party,[1] but without announcing the results, the ruling Basotho National Party carried out a coup d'état by declaring a state of emergency, annulling the election, dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution.
[2] King Moshoeshoe II was sent into exile after expressing disapproval of the actions.
[2] Leabua Jonathan then dictated the country until 1986 when a military coup d'état led by Major General Justin Lekhanya deposed him.
Lesotho was not returned to democratic rule until the 1993 elections, which were again won by the BCP in a landslide victory.
Official results were never published, but figures were made available by election observers.