Eswatini Heads to the Polls in Controversial Legislative Elections

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Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa, is conducting legislative elections amid ongoing pro-democracy protests that are unlikely to bring significant changes to the country’s tightly controlled political landscape.

Over 500,000 people are registered to vote in the nation of 1.2 million, with polling stations open for 11 hours. The election involves choosing 59 members of the lower house of parliament, which has an advisory role to King Mswati III, who holds absolute power in the country.

The election results are anticipated to be announced in the coming days, although the opposition largely views the outcome as predetermined and has called for a boycott of the vote.

Political parties are prohibited in Eswatini, and lawmakers cannot have political affiliations. The constitution emphasizes “individual merit” for selecting MPs, and opposition groups often operate from abroad. Candidates are nominated by traditional chiefs close to the king, most of whom are loyal to King Mswati.

King Mswati, who has been in power since 1986, enjoys constitutional immunity and holds significant authority. He appoints the prime minister and cabinet, can dissolve parliament and the government, and commands the police and the military. Legislation requires his approval to become law.

Pro-democracy protests erupted in Eswatini in 2021, resulting in a violent crackdown by security forces and dozens of casualties. Opposition lawmakers elected in the 2018 elections now face imprisonment or exile.

Despite criticism of King Mswati’s opulent lifestyle, a significant portion of Eswatini’s population lives below the poverty line. Public criticism of the monarch is prohibited and can lead to imprisonment.

The elections are unlikely to bring substantial political change in Eswatini, which remains under the enduring rule of King Mswati and lacks the multi-party democracy seen in many other African nations.

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