Times Of Swaziland: LAZWIDE’S WIN EVIDENCE OF FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS – EBC

LAZWIDE’S WIN EVIDENCE OF FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS – EBC
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Thokozani Mamba and Mthunzi Maziya on 01/08/2022 08:14:00


NKHANINI – Nomalungelo ‘LaZwide’ Simelane’s win has vindicated the EBC,
the Constitution and laws of the country.
This was according to the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission
(EBC), Prince Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini, at the official announcement of the
results of Siphofaneni Inkhundla vote at EBC’s offices at Nkhanini
yesterday.Dlamini was addressing concerns that emanated prior to the elections
that government would allegedly do all that was possible to bar Simelane from
winning the elections on the basis that she was the wife of former Member of
Parliament (MP), Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane, who had turned a fierce critic
of government. The chairman said the win by LaZwide gave all the country’s
election processes a stamp of approval. “This also demonstrates that our
traditional system and the democratic process can work together in peace and
harmony,” he said.
Dlamini said any suggestion that the local elections did not live up to ethical
standards and were undemocratic had been watered down by the success of the
elections at Siphofaneni this past weekend. “This election solidifies the fact
that our elections are free and fair, and that the EBC is an ethical
organisation that carries out its mandate in line with the provisions of the
Constitution and laws of the land. If this was not the case, we would not be
where we are today,” he said. The chairman further stated that the Siphofaneni
elections provided a clear answer on the fairness of the monarchial democratic
system.
Example
He made an example that the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC)
election standards incorporated provision of the African Union’s (AU)
standards, while those of the AU had provisions from standards set by the United
Nations. “This makes it easier for such bodies to monitor our election
processes. It pleases the EBC that during the course of the Siphofaneni
elections, we had observers from various countries. We believe they will also
attest to the success we have observed,” he said.
Elaborating, Dlamini thanked all stakeholders who participated to ensure the
success of the Siphofaneni elections. First and foremost, he thanked the King
for allowing emaSwati to have a voice in governance, through the elections. He
thanked traditional authorities, especially chiefs, for the important role they
played in looking after the people. He also thanked the police, health
officials, the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) and all involved during
the exercise.
“We also thank the community of Siphofaneni for the enthusiasm and good
conduct displayed during the elections. We started the process with a cloud
hanging over it, but the people of Siphofaneni were exemplary through respect
shown throughout the process,” he said. LaZwide, as declared by the EBC,
amassed 2 612 votes to win. The EBC congratulated her on her success and advised
that she kept herself abreast with the country’s Constitution, as governance
at all levels of government worked in line with the provisions of the Supreme
Law.
“We have one level of our parliamentary system that is not functioning well,
bucopho. I would like to encourage those elected not to forget about the people
and by extension the whole country. They must familiarise themselves with the
operation of ministries, because that way one is well positioned to provide
effective leadership,” Dlamini said.