The Coordinating Assembly of NGOs (CANGO) which led 10
local groups as an Elections Network to observe the first round of Swaziland’s
election found
a list of shortcomings including voter bribery, illegal voting, late
opening of polling stations, poor IT facilities and drunkenness.
Nonetheless, it concluded the polls known as the
Primary Election, ‘were held peacefully and were undertaken in an atmosphere
that is free and fair’.
CANGO had 120 observers visit 170 polling stations across
44 of 59 constituencies in Swaziland (recently
renamed Eswatini by the kingdom’s absolute monarch King Mswati III)
for the national and community elections on 24 August 2018.
In its
report it identified ‘the most urgent issue’ was in Nkilongo where a
candidate who was not eligible to contest one of the community offices stood
and received 69 votes. A formal complaint by rival candidates has been lodged
with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).
CANGO also noted that ‘a lot of polling stations
opened late’ especially in Siphofaneni, Hlutse, Phonjwane and some other areas
in the Hhohho region. The delay was caused by late delivery of ballot materials.
Some polling stations opened five hours late.
Other polling stations such as Mphundle High school in
Matsanjeni North opened late because there was no electricity. In Ekuphakameni
High School polling station the delay was caused by the late arrival of election
officials. In other areas including Bethany Mission Primary School the delay
was caused by the absence of nominees and their agents who were supposed to be
there to view the sealing of the ballot boxes.
In Shewula voting was stopped for an hour later in the
day because there was no electricity.
CANGO reported, ‘Delays lead to disgruntled voters who then turn away from polling stations due to frustrations.’
CANGO reported, ‘Delays lead to disgruntled voters who then turn away from polling stations due to frustrations.’
At Somnjalose High School polling officers failed to
balance the numbers of used and unused ballot papers. CANGO said some people
might have been given two ballot papers.
CANGO noted that many voters across Swaziland were
seen trying to take photos of their ballot papers. It stated the illegal
practice could be linked to voter bribery or extortion.
CANGO doubted that all presiding officers at polling
stations were capable of doing their job properly. It stated, ‘Most presiding
offers, polling officers generally seemed well versed in most polling stations
in terms of the steps undertaken to set up polling stations, registration of
serial numbers for ballot papers and ensuring that all polling stations guarantee
the secrecy of the vote. However some presiding and polling officers still need
to be capacitated on electoral procedures as seen in Phonjwane where procedure
was flaunted as people casted their ballot only for the Bucopho position due to
late arrival of other ballot materials for the two other positions.’
It noted that most of the presiding officers in the
Lubombo region could not provide the number of registered voters for that
particular polling station. It said that while some polling stations had the IT
support, other polling stations did not.
Most presiding officers struggled to seal ballot
boxes. CANGO reported, ‘Poor seals allow for the ballot boxes to be manipulated
and damage the credibility of the results.’
The verification of voters was slow in most polling
stations in the early hours of the day and this was caused by IT technical
glitches delaying the process. In most of the polling stations, technical
glitches were common with laptops freezing.
Campaigning, which is illegal in Swaziland until after
the primary was witnessed in Mfanyana Hall where a nominee agent was soliciting
for votes. The police were called to
deal with the matter.
At Ngculwini in Mhubhe High School, material available
that listed the candidates who were standing at the election was tampered with
in an attempt to influence voters. At Mbekelweni high school, nominees and
their agents were seen greeting every voter which was illegal. ‘One nominee
even greeted one of CANGO observers and told the observer whom to cast her vote
to without realising that she is an observer,’ CANGO reported.
CANGO said it observed a lot of campaigning on
Whatsapp groups especially around the Hlatsi, Kambhoke, Khubutha areas. It
added, ‘Attempts to influence voters were also seen around Ngonini Inkhundla
where relatives of certain nominees were seen transporting eligible voters to
polling stations. At Ngcoseni High School polling station, a lot of voters were
seen receiving varying vegetables from tomatoes, cabbages, onions etc. and it
was not clear whether they were being sold and or were gifts meant to influence
voters. When observers sought more information, the process of handing the
cabbages was abruptly stopped and no information could be obtained.’
Some members of CANGO’s independent election
observation team were asked to sign secrecy forms and were denied access to
polling stations if they did not do so. They were told they had to go to the
police to declare an oath.
CANGO stated, ‘EBC should clearly communicate to all
polling stations that observers only sign the visitor’s book to limit
misunderstandings as the country will now be joined by other regional observer
missions like SADC EOM and such confusion will not paint a good image for the
country.’
Fights outside polling stations were witnessed but
CANGO reported these were not related to the elections but were ‘normally
misunderstandings between highly intoxicated individuals standing nearby
polling stations’.
At Nkhaba Old Inkhundla polling station and Matsanjeni
South the paramilitary police OSSU were called to calm the situation where
voters blocked the exit of electoral officials who were transporting ballot
papers to a central command place where counting could take place.
Elections in Swaziland are generally
recognised outside of the kingdom as undemocratic. Political parties
are banned from taking part and King Mswati appoints the Prime Minister and Government.
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.
The final round of voting (the Secondary Election)
takes place on 21 September 2018.
See also
Polling
Station Riot and Fresh Accusations of Vote-Rigging Reported at Swaziland
Election
Fears Grow of Vote-Rigging and Malpractice in
Swaziland Election. Ballot Boxes Not Properly Sealed
Independent
Election Observers in Swaziland Barred From Some Polling Stations, Told to Sign
Secrecy Forms
First
Round of Swaziland Election Marred by Inefficiency and Fear of Vote-Rigging
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/08/first-round-of-swaziland-election.html
Chaos and Violence Reported Across Swaziland as Voters go to the Polls
Chaos and Violence Reported Across Swaziland as Voters go to the Polls
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/08/chaos-and-violence-reported-across.html
Organised Certainty, Why elections in Swaziland are not democratic
Organised Certainty, Why elections in Swaziland are not democratic
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