More trade unions in Swaziland have said they will boycott
this year’s undemocratic national election in the kingdom.
The National Association of Public Service and Allied
Workers Union (NAPSAWU) reaffirmed its stance of not participating during its
congress on Wednesday (6 March 2013).
Outgoing Secretary General, Vincent Dlamini, said NAPSAWU
was a member of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), which had
already declared it would boycott. He said NAPSAWU would be bound by TUCOSWA’s resolution.
Meanwhile, representatives from other unions, who were
invited to address the congress, also supported the boycott, the Times of Swaziland reported.
President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union, Bheki
Mamba, said his union would also not take part in the elections, unless political
parties, which are banned from the election, were allowed to take part.
Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) member, Mpumi
Dlamini, said students would not participate in the elections because they were
not pleased with policies taken by the government.
Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) Coordinator,
Wandile Dludlu, also said the front was against the elections.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network and the Communist Party of Swaziland have both already declared they will encourage people to
boycott the election, which is due to be held sometime in 2013, at a date to be
set by King Mswati III, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last
absolute monarch.
Elections in Swaziland are meaningless.
There are two chambers of parliament, the House of
Assembly and the Senate. Of the 65 members of the House, 10 are chosen by King
Mswati and 55 are elected by the people. In the Senate, King Mswati chooses 20
of the 30 places. The other 10 are chosen by members of the House of Assembly.
None are elected by the people.
King Mswati is in complete control of his kingdom. In
October 2012, the House of Assembly passed a vote of no-confidence in the Prime
Minister and cabinet. In such circumstances the constitution requires the
monarch to sack the government (he has no discretion in the matter), but King
Mswati ignored this and put pressure on the House to re-run the vote, this time
ensuring that it did not have the required majority to pass. Members of the
House did as they were told and the government continued in office.
See also
CALL TO BOYCOTT ELECTION GROWS
CALL FOR OBSERVER BOYCOTT OF ELECTION
KING IS IN CONTROL - ELECTION MEANINGLESS
SWAZI ELECTION ‘WILL BE A FRAUD’
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