ELECTIONS D-DAY: EBC WARNS ASPIRING SIPHOFANENI MPS

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.

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