EBC reviewing disruptions of voter education
MBABANE – EBC Chairperson Prince Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini says they are reviewing the instances where civic or voter education exercises were disrupted.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chairperson said this during an interview with this publication on Wednesday, after unveiling the 2023 General Elections logo and slogan.
The prince was asked as to what would happen to the chiefdoms where the voter education exercises were disrupted by some residents. Some residents of KaLiba disrupted the EBC officials, demanding the whereabouts of their MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, while Somntongo residents were demanding a national dialogue before elections.
Reviewing
In his response, Dlamini said they were certainly reviewing those instances where things did not go as planned.
He said they would certainly not disadvantage people their right due to some disruptions.
“If a collective decision comes out that let’s re-do those places, we will certainly do that, but we will need to get feedback from the relevant communities,” he said.
The chairperson said the affected communities had a legal right to the voter education, especially those who never participated before.
“You can’t be prevented by somebody else from benefitting from being educated,” added the prince.
Dlamini said as EBC, their interest was to fulfil their obligation. He said they were reviewing the said incidents in order to do it better in a manner that would not have objections.
Dlamini said they had noted that people needed answers on a number of issues and as EBC they would try their level best to give those answers where applicable.
He noted though that some answers were not readily available as one did not want any situation to be inflammable, hence the need to take some time
to prepare to answer those questions accordingly. When unveiling the 2023 Elections logo and slogan, the prince warned those who may intend to disrupt the elections to be ready to face the legal consequences of their actions as the elections processes were legal. He stated that people should not infringe others’ rights to participate in the elections.
It is worth noting that the elections are guided by the Elections Act, which contravening it and its sections have penalties.