| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Libandla / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
House of Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
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| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
19 September 2008 |
| Timing and scope of renewal |
Elections were held for all elective seats of the House of Assembly on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. |
The September 2008 elections were the first to be held following the adoption of the country's Constitution. The instrument was ratified by King Mswati III on 26 July 2005 and entered into force on 8 February 2006. Swaziland had been ruled by royal decree since 1973, when King Mswati's father, King Sobhuza II, banned political parties. Although the new Constitution guarantees freedom of association, restrictions remain on political party activity. King Mswati III, who has ruled the country since 1986, retains the power to dissolve parliament and the cabinet.
The country's economy grew by about 3.5 per cent in 2007, but was reportedly slowing down due to high fuel and food prices. An estimated 69 per cent of Swazis live below the poverty line and 38 per cent of the population is reportedly infected by HIV.
A banned political party, the People's United Democratic Movement of Swaziland (PUDEMO), which went into self-imposed exile in the 1980s in Mozambique, now operates from South Africa. Its leader, Mr. Mario Masuku, launched a campaign promising the "total liberation" of Swaziland. In April 2008, the deputy leader of the PUDEMO, Mr. Gabriel Mkhumane, was shot dead. Mr. Masuku claimed that he had been assassinated by government operatives.
In the absence of political parties, trade unions led demands for democratic reform. During the election campaign, they organized several demonstrations. They participated in attempts to establish blockades on the border with South Africa, which they said were intended to protest against the non-inclusive and 'undemocratic' nature of the electoral process. Many of their members were arrested or barred from participating in these blockades.
On 23 August, the local councils (chiefdoms) organized nominations involving 350 candidates. The three leading candidates in each constituency, who obtained at least 10 nominations, were allowed to stand for election.
At stake were 55 seats in the House of Assembly (the remaining 10 members being appointed by the King). Many candidates focused on local issues such as transportation.
Around 350,000 of an estimated 400,000 eligible voters were registered to vote in the elections.
The Pan-African Parliament observed the polls. It concluded that the elections were "peaceful, transparent and credible". However, it criticized the ban on political parties, declaring that it infringes citizens' right to participate in elections, and undermines the principles that underpin democratic elections.
On 21 September, the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) announced the final results. Only 15 of the 55 outgoing MPs were re-elected. Seven women were elected.
On 7 October, the EBC published the list of 10 members appointed by the King. Although the Constitution stipulates that half of the appointed members should be women, the list included only two women.
On 10 October, the House of Assembly held its first session and re-elected Prince Guduza Dlamini as its Speaker. It nominated 10 members to the Senate on the same day, while the King appointed the remaining 20 members on 17 October. On 21 October, the Senate re-elected Ms. Gelane Zwane as its President.
On 16 October, the King appointed Mr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini as the Prime Minister. He was sworn in on 23 October. |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 19 September 2008 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
350'000
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Notes
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| Distribution of votes |
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Round no 1
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| Political group |
Candidates |
Votes |
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% of votes |
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| Distribution of seats |
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Round no 1
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| Political Group |
Total of seats
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| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
56
9
13.85%
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| Distribution of seats according to age |
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| Distribution of seats according to profession |
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| Comments |
Note on the number of women:
Seven women were elected, while two others were appointed by the King. |
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