SWAZI POLL OBSERVERS WANT PARTIES

As Swaziland’s election got underway yesterday (19 September 2008), foreign observers are already calling into question the poll’s legitimacy

The head of the Pan African Parliament mission, Mary Mugyenyi has spoken out about concerns that Swaziland has banned all political parties from the kingdom.

Mugyenyi told the AFP news agency yesterday (19 September 2008), ‘The non participation of political parties makes these elections extraordinary from any others ... but we hope with time things will change.’

She told AFP, ‘What we see here is people choosing their leaders to represent them in parliament. They are not from any political parties.’

AFP also reported, ‘Voters lined up Friday to cast their ballot to elect lawmakers under a rewritten constitution which allows freedom of association but still bars political parties.

‘Foreign observers have also been allowed to monitor the elections for the first time, and the run-up to the poll saw wide protests, border blockades and calls for multi-party elections.’

For the full report click here.

See also

ELECTIONS

SWAZILAND ELECTIONS 2008 BLOGSITE