The African
Union (AU) says it will investigate the level of political rights
people have in Swaziland as part of its mission to observe the kingdom’s
national election.
At total of 30 observers
will be across Swaziland (recently renamed Eswatini by
absolute monarch King Mswati III) for the poll on Friday (21
September 2018).
In a statement ahead of the visit
the AU said, ‘The overall objective of AU election observation missions is to
promote democracy, strengthen democratic institutions and build public
confidence in electoral processes in Africa.’
In Swaziland political
parties are banned from taking part in the election. People are only
allowed to elect 59 members of the House of Assembly; another 10 are appointed by
the King. None of the 30 members of the Swazi Senate are elected by the people.
King Mswati chooses the
Prime Minister and Cabinet members. He also chooses top civil servants and
judges.
The AU said as part of its
assessment criteria it would look at the existence ‘of a level playing field,
which determines the conditions for electoral competition’ and ‘the extent to
which the constitution and legal framework guarantee fundamental freedoms and
the exercise of political rights.’
After the last election in
Swaziland in 2013 the AU called on the kingdom to review the constitution to
ensure ‘the fundamental freedoms of conscience, expression, peaceful assembly,
association and movement as well as international principles for free and fair
elections and participation in electoral process’ were in place.
See also
Swaziland
Heading For Lowest Election Turnout as Ordinary People Support Democratic
Change
Swaziland
(Eswatini) Election 2018: Links to Information and Analysis From Swazi Media
Commentary
Organised
Certainty, Why elections in Swaziland are not democratic
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