Observers to ensure fair elections

MBABANE – Chances of rigging the Siphofaneni Inkhundla by-election are slim. Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Prince Mhlaba told the Times SUNDAY yesterday that the by-elections to replace former Member of Parliament Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane would be transparent.

He said the EBC had already written a letter to local NGOs requesting them to be observers during the election process. He said observers were a key stakeholder. The chairman mentioned that he expected them to observe the counting process. In fact, Prince Mhlaba said the NGOs were supposed to be present to observe the voter education which began yesterday.

He pointed out that the organisations’ election report was very crucial as their job is to validate the content of the election process. Asked if they would be allowed to observe the counting of the votes, the chairman said the NGOs should have unlimited access to the voting process. “They are expected to be here as observers to validate the integrity of the elections,” the EBC chairman said.

Some people on social media expressed doubts about the integrity of the elections, alleging that it would be open to rigging. However, the EBC chairman has assured the nation that it would be free and fair. “There would be no rigging of the elections,” he said.

It must be said that elections can be rigged by either party. Meanwhile, the former MP of Siphofaneni’s membership was suspended after he had missed 20 consecutive sittings.

He complained though that he was pushed out of Parliament unconstitutionally. Simelane, who formed his own political movement known as the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), alleged that he was denied an opportunity to access parliamentary proceedings or debates virtually.

The former MP said the authorities of the House of Assembly cancelled the virtual parliamentary sessions when they realised that he would use Zoom to participate in the debates.

He is currently in exile. Simelane is understood to be in South Africa. He left the country after his colleagues in the House of Assembly, Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube were arrested and charged for contravening the Suppression of the Terrorism Act.

They allegedly incited last year’s violence which resulted in property destruction and death of people. They pleaded not guilty to charges, which included a charge of murder.

The former MP for Siphofaneni was cocharged with the two incarcerated legislators. They had been denied bail. However, they are on full pay as members of Parliament.

Emmanuel Ndlangamandla, the Executive Director of CANGO, could not be reached for comment on the matter. He was to be asked whether they received the letter from EBC to observe the by-election. The last call was made at 8:25pm yesterday.

ELIGIBLE CITIZENS RIGHTS

On the other hand, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) states that the authority of the government, in any State, can only derive from the will of the people as expressed in genuine, free and fair elections held at regular intervals on the basis of universal, equal and secret suffrage.

Eswatini Parliament is a member of the IPU. The IPU states that every adult citizen has the right to vote in elections, on a non-discriminatory basis. It makes it mandatory that every adult citizen has the right to access to an effective, impartial and non-discriminatory procedure for the registration of voters.

The union points out that no eligible citizen shall be denied the right to vote or disqualified from registration as a voter, otherwise than in accordance with objectively verifiable criteria prescribed by law, and provided that such measures are consistent with the State’s obligations under international law.

IPU further says everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country and shall have an equal opportunity to become a candidate for election.

The criteria for participation in government shall be determined in accordance with national Constitutions and laws and shall not be inconsistent with the State’s international obligations.

The IPU also states that everyone has the right to join, or together with others to establish, a political party or organisation for the purpose of competing in an election.

Everyone individually and together with others has the right:

To express political opinions without interference;

To seek, receive and impart information and to make an informed choice;

To move freely within the country in order to campaign for election;

To campaign on an equal basis with other political parties, including the party forming the existing government.