5 700 ASPIRANTS VYING FOR 455 POSTS

MBABANE – It seems the slogan ‘ngete ngasala nasakha kwetfu’ held true for emaSwati as they went out in numbers for the nominations exercise.

The nominations held in the four regions of the country, saw 5 700 candidates selected to stand for the general elections in the positions of bucopho, indvuna yenkhundla and member of Parliament (MP). According to an analysis shared by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) on national radio yesterday, the candidates were nominated by over 55 000 emaSwati, who crammed the imiphakatsi and alternative nomination centres. Bhembe said statistics had shown an increase in the number of emaSwati who participated in the exercise compared to the previous years. If all the nominees qualify for the primary elections, they will be competing for 455 posts.

However, their fate will be decided by the vetting process, which seeks to establish the status of their compliance with the tax laws of the country. The vetting also seeks to establish whether the nominees have pending criminal records, or were convicted and sentenced to more than six months imprisonment. Section 13 (1) (c) of the Elections Act also provides that a person shall spend five years (60 months) after completing his/her sentence, if convicted of offences falling under the fourth and fifth schedule. The analysis shows that out of the 5 650 candidates, 1 350 would be contesting 59 MP posts as per the number of tinkhundla centres. The report also shows that out of the 5 700, 1 420 candidates who were nominated for the position of indvuna yenkhundla will also be competing for 59 posts. It also points out that 2 950 candidates nominated for the position of bucopho will be contesting for 137 posts as per the royal kraals (imiphakatsi) in the country.

Highest

The Manzini Region, which had the highest number of nominated candidates; had 1 850 candidates nominated for the three positions. The region will see 450 MP nominees competing for 19 posts in the House of Assembly. Also, 450 candidates will be competing for 19 posts in the position of indvuna yenkhundla. The region had 950 nominated bucopho candidates for the 102 royal kraals. This means that the 950 candidates will be competing for 102 posts. Manzini was followed by Hhohho, with 15 tinkhundla centres, recording 1 450 nominees for the three positions. Out of the 1 450 candidates, 350 candidates will be competing for 14 MP positions. There were also 350 candidates nominated for the position of indvuna yenkhundla and they will be competing for 15 posts. There were 750 candidates nominated for the position of bucopho, implying that they will be competing for 80 posts.

The Shiselweni Region with 15 tinkhundla centres, had 1 450 candidates nominated for the three positions. The region saw 300 people nominated for the MP position, with the implication that they will be competing for 15 posts. There were 350 candidates nominated for the position of indvuna yenkhundla, which also has 15 vacancies. The analysis reflected that 800 bucopho nominees would be competing for 99 posts as per the number of the royal kraals. The report showed that Lubombo Region had 950 candidates nominated for the three positions. Out of the 950 candidates, 250 will be competing for the MP position. Among the 950 candidates, 250 will be contesting the 11 posts of indvuna yenkhundla. The region had 450 nominated bucopho for 56 royal kraals.

When making the analysis, Bhembe was with EBC Commissioner Chief Mawandla Gamedze, who appreciated the eagerness from emaSwati as they built their own country. Gamedze acknowledged the glitches experienced during the course of the nominations exercise. Without expanding further, the chairman commissioner stated that the commission had no intention to sideline emaSwati during the course of the exercise. He said the commission was committed to sorting all issues affecting the nation during the course of the ongoing general elections.

Vetting

Bhembe also mentioned that from the nominations exercise, the commission would proceed to the vetting stage. He stated that the fate of the nominated candidates would be determined by the outcomes of the vetting. He said qualifying candidates would have their names and pictures posted in the polling divisions. On another note, Bhembe warned the nominees against campaigning before the allotted time. He also warmed the electorate against tempting the aspiring candidates. Directing to those who accused others of campaigning, Bhembe advised them to collect evidence that could assist the court. He said a tribunal had been set to deal with elections related cases. In what would sound as good news to those with nicknames, Bhembe said the commission had considered including the nicknames in the posters. This, Bhembe said, was because the candidates were known by their nicknames to the electorate.

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