King Mswati III of
Swaziland has told his subjects they should only vote for Christians in this
year’s national election.
King Mswati who is
sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch preached a sermon to Christians at
the Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday (1 April 2018) and said people should
ask for God’s guidance when heading for the polls.
Political parties are barred
from taking part in elections and groups that advocate for multiparty democracy
in the kingdom have been banned under the Suppression
of Terrorism Act. The King
choses the Prime Minister and government.
The Swazi Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by the King, reported on Tuesday (3 April 2018), ‘His Majesty has on many occasions
warned people to be wary of those campaigning for parliamentary seats and urged
the electorate to make sober decisions when they get to the polls for the
betterment of the country.’
The newspaper reported the
King saying, ‘This year the nation will be heading to the polls and one prays
and hopes that people will apply their minds when voting. A clear mind is found
in God, if you seek God’s guidance, he will help you elect the right people. If
you apply your mind, then you will elect people that are of Godly character and
will be able to serve the electorate, the country and God.’
The newspaper added, ‘His
Majesty said. He said individuals who served God were trustworthy people who
were capable of serving the nation diligently.’
S23 of the Swaziland
Constitution that was adopted in 2006 says a person has a right to freedom of
religion. In the drafting of the Constitution it was discussed that Swaziland should be
designated a Christian country, but this was dropped in the final version.
Elections are held every
five years in Swaziland and are
declared not free and fair each time by international observers. People only get to select 55 of 65 members of the
House of Assembly. The King chooses the other 10. No members of the Swazi
Senate are elected by the people; the King chooses 20 and the other 10 are
elected by members of the House of Assembly.
Freedom of assembly is
severely curtailed in Swaziland, especially in the run-up to elections. The
Swazi Parliament has no real powers as the King can and does overrule decisions if he wishes.
See also
KING
INSTRUCTS ‘VOTE FOR CHRISTIANS’
CALL
TO BOYCOTT ELECTION GROWS
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/03/call-to-boycott-election-grows.html
No comments:
Post a Comment