The woman who was banned from being nominated to stand in the election in Swaziland because she was
wearing pants has won a High Court case to have her name put on the ballot paper.
And, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has
been forced to postpone the election in her chiefdom at Lubulini to allow her
to stand.
Mana Mavimbela, aged 18, drew international attention to
the undemocratic elections in King Mswati’s Swaziland, when she tried to have
herself nominated on 4 August 2013 to stand in the primary election for the
House of Assembly. The official presiding officer, employed by the EBC, refused
to allow her to do so because she was dressed in jeans.
Now, High Court Judge Mbutfo Mamba, meeting in emergency
session, has ordered the election at Lubulini to be postponed to allow her name
to be included in the list of candidates.
Mavimbela was not the only woman discriminated against at
the nominations because she was wearing pants. Fakazile Luhlanga of
Ndvwabangeni in the Mhlangatane constituency was also not allowed permission to
nominate a candidate as she was wearing cargo pants.
Local media reported Luhlanga saying she was told that
she was dressed like a man and would be a bad influence to the community
members as they would want to emulate her.
Some chiefs across Swaziland imposed the ban on women
wearing trousers, shorts or mini-skirts at nomination centres.
Chief Petros Dvuba of Mpolonjeni in Mbabane, the
kingdom’s capital, said people who would be going to the nominations should
dress properly and show respect as it was King Mswati III’s exercise. He told local media, ‘Even those who have
relaxed hair should cover their heads when going to that place.’
The primary elections were due to take place on Saturday
(24 August 2013). At the primary elections one candidate is elected to
represent the chiefdom in the ‘secondary’ election on 20 September where one
person from the Inkhundla (constituency) will be elected to the House of
Assembly.
The election in Swaziland is considered by many to be valueless
because the parliament that is elected has no power, as this rests with King
Mswati, who rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.
Political parties are barred from taking part in the election.
The election is only to select 55 members of the 65-seat House of Assembly. The
other 10 members are appointed by the king. No members of the Senate House are
elected by the people. Of its 30 members, 20 are chosen by the king and 10 are
elected by members of the House of Assembly.
See also
WOMAN IN PANTS BANNED FROM ELECTION
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