Times Of Swaziland: ELECTIONS D-DAY: EBC WARNS ASPIRING SIPHOFANENI MPS

ELECTIONS D-DAY: EBC WARNS ASPIRING SIPHOFANENI MPS
================================================================================
Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 29/07/2022 09:48:00


MBABANE – Ahead of the secondary elections at Siphofaneni Inkhundla, the
Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has discouraged any form of character
assassination.
This comes after there have been reports of alleged threats towards one of the
aspiring Members of Parliament (MPs), Sabelo Ngcamphalala, who hails from
KaNgcamphalala Umphakatsi. Ngcamphalala informed this publication on Tuesday
that he was receiving threats. He even alleged that former MP Mduduzi
‘Gawuzela’ Simelane had requested him to withdraw from the elections. EBC
Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe said the commission had not received any
report on the alleged threats and the request by Simelane that Ngcamphalala
should withdraw from the elections.
He said it was illegal to issue threats as the person doing so would be using
undue influence over the person to whom the threats were directed.
Issues
Bhembe emphasised that elections were not meant to divide the society, but to
unite it for the development of the community. He said it was for that reason
that the commission encouraged candidates to use socio-economic issues in their
campaigns because those issues brought progress in the affected communities or
constituency. He said whosoever won the election should be a unifying agent for
their communities. Bhembe said it was, therefore, the commission’s obligation
to build the nation going forward. The communications officer said in that
regard, the commission strongly discouraged character assassination of any form.
He said anyone who believed they were a victim of character asssaination should
report to the commission right away and before the elections.
He said after reporting that person would be able to receive assistance because
if they reported after the elections, it would be difficult for that individual
to be assisted even in court. Bhembe encouraged the Siphofaneni electorate to go
out in numbers and vote tomorrow. He said it was very important to go out and
exercise one’s right to vote. He stated that this time around, the elections
would be in two groups of people; those who may have not been able to
participate in the primary elections and those who would be voting for the
second time or the second stage. He said those who did not partake in the
primary elections should now go and vote.
Choice
Bhembe encouraged those who participated in the primary elections to vote for
their candidate of choice.  “Here, in the elections, we want the best and most
competent candidate,” said Bhembe. He said he believed that the electorate had
an opportunity to pose questions to their candidates during the organised and
individual campaigns. He said through those questions, the electorate were able
to make up their minds as to whom they believed would represent them well in
Parliament. He said campaigns had a potential to change one’s mind based on
the candidates’ presentations. Bhembe pleaded with candidates to adhere to the
election laws, which stipulated that yesterday was the last day for campaigns.
He said today should be the day to observe the 24 hours between campaigns and
the secondary elections, as stipulated by the law.
He urged the candidates to remove all their exhibits, be it posters and flyers,
which may be in the vicinity of the polling stations. “The Elections Act
stipulates that 400 metres away from the polling station should be clear of any
campaign material,” said Bhembe. He added that when going to vote,
candidates’ campaign agents (bogalajane) should avoid wearing the T-shirts, if
any, that were bought for campaigning purposes. He said election day should be a
neutral day where participants, be it candidates or the electorate, enjoyed
their rights freely. Bhembe added that the commission had engaged the security
forces for peace-keeping during the elections, not only for the candidates but
also for the electorate as well. He said the protection was also required for
the polling stations and the machinery to be used tomorrow.
Bhembe said the commission wished participants to feel free during the
elections. He emphasised the secrecy of the vote or the ballot box. He said even
those who were not be able to write or see should be free as trained electoral
officers would be there to assist them. He said those who may feel they did not
trust the officials were free to come with their relatives to assist them. He
said the commission wished every liSwati to vote, as it was their constitutional
right. The last day for campaigning was marked by a gospel music-filled day for
aspiring MP Lomalungelo Simelane popularly known as LaZwide, as gospel artists
rendered songs while some pastors shared the Word of God.
Popular
LaZwide had her campaign rally yesterday at Siphofaneni Bus rank. Gospel artists
like Timothy Myeni, Mzwakhe Myeni and Scara Maziya graced the event with their
popular songs. which included ‘Noma ungawubasa lowo mlilo’  by Ncandweni
Christ Ambassadors. Pastor Mpendulo Nkambule was also present during the rally.
In her address, LaZwide appreciated community members of KaMkhweli for voting
her into the primary elections. She said there was nothing different that she
would do from what other MPs were doing in Parliament, but she was ready to
represent them well. She said her wish was to see Siphofaneni and the entire
country reach a time where there would be free education even at the secondary
level. She said she also wished to see elderly people getting better social
grants than what they were currently receiving. LaZwide said she understood that
she joined the elections at a crucial time and she did not have any skill but as
someone who took a decision during these hard times.