Swaziland’s election nominations were marred by delays
at most of the voting centres, according to the first independent report from
observers to be published.
Some venues for nomination were changed at the last
minute, and provision for people with disabilities was non-existent at some.
Some presiding officers lacked experience and need
additional training.
Despite these shortcomings the nomination process was
successful, according to the Coordinating Assembly of NGOs (CANGO) in its report.
CANGO organised 11 groups in Swaziland which deployed
110 observers in 87 nomination centres in 37 (out of the total 59) Tinkhundla
constituencies across all four regions of Swaziland / Eswatini on 28 and 29
July 2018.
It reported, ‘Logistic delays were common in most
nomination centres due to lack of extension cables to charge laptops. In some
nomination centres, lack of tables and chairs for election officials including
shelters was also common delaying the commencement of the nomination process.
Some centres had PA [public address] systems and some had megaphones. Some of
the nomination centres finished as late as 8.00 p.m. like Nkanini Umphakatsi in
Lobamba.’ It said many centres did not have electricity and this should be
provided as a priority.
It added the process was well organised but some
nomination centres were changed at the last minute like Emhlane, Old Nkhaba
Inkhundla which caused confusion.
CANGO reported most centres were accessible to people
with disabilities but listed 10 of the 87 it visited were not adequate. It
called for the provision of braille and interpreters for people with hearing
difficulties to be made available at all voting sites.
Its report was mixed about the abilities of presiding
officers. CANGO reported, ‘In all areas covered, most presiding officers were
knowledgeable on the nomination process to be undertaken as provided in the
electoral laws of Eswatini [Swaziland]. However some presiding officers lacked
patience in managing the process as observed in KaLanga. Such misunderstanding
could easily have been managed by explaining the process to the communities and
what was expected from eligible voters.’
It recommended the Elections and
Boundaries Commission (EBC) should ‘use experienced presiding officers who have
extensive knowledge of such a process to avoid untimely delays’.
The report criticised some nomination centres for
opening the process with a Christian prayer, ‘making eligible voters very
uncomfortable like in Mangwaneni community school in Mbabane and six other
nomination centres. Eligible voters were quick to react to the prayers and some
even approached CANGO observers to document the prayers and highlight that not
only eligible voters are of Christian domination.’
CANGO concluded the nomination process was
‘transparent, peaceful, free and fair in all the nomination centres’.
See also
Media Report Chaos and Confusion During Nominations
For Swaziland Election
Swaziland
Police Force Worshippers From Churches to Attend Election Nominations
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/07/swaziland-police-force-worshippers-from.html
Doubts Over Validity of Swaziland Election
Doubts Over Validity of Swaziland Election
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/07/doubt-over-validity-of-swaziland.html
New Study Shows Why Swaziland Elections Are Not Democratic
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/07/new-study-shows-why-swaziland-elections.html
New Study Shows Why Swaziland Elections Are Not Democratic
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