Times Of Swaziland: EESN SHOCKED BY ‘VOTES-FOR-CASH’ REPORTS

EESN SHOCKED BY ‘VOTES-FOR-CASH’ REPORTS
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Sibusiso Shange on 31/07/2020 10:13:00


MBABANE - Eswatini Election Support Network (EESN), under CANGO has raised
concern over the alleged buying of votes for parliamentary seats.
CANGO Stands for Coordinating Assemble for Non-Governmental Organisations. The
startling allegations were made by one of the aspiring senators, Ngomyayona
Gamedze, who has since pulled out of the Senate seat race. Gamedze had been
nominated together with businessman Sifiso Mabuza of Hosea, Jimmy Hlophe, a
businessman from the Manzini Region under Mahlangatsha Constituency and Bongani
Matsebula, Mhlume-based businessman. The EESN said the allegations were shocking
that money became a determinant factor for a candidate to be elected into public
office. The organisation felt that the alleged act may perpetuate the inequality
gap, especially among women and other vulnerable groups, to participate fairly
in the electoral process in the country.
Transparency
“This undermines fair participation and transparency of an election. It also
undermines electing people of calibre to perform representation and oversight
roles in Parliament,” read the statement sent to this publication. As a
result, the organisation has called for critical organs of government to conduct
intensive investigations into the credibility and fairness of elections and the
applicability of electoral laws for reforms where there were needed. The EESN
said the Tinkhundla System of Governance was founded on the tenets that it was
grassroots-based, home-grown and non-discriminatory. “People elected into
public office must show effectiveness in representing national interests as well
as be critical of the country’s governance structures,” further reads the
statement.
The organisation said it was necessary to institute reforms to prohibit ill
elements from a situation where elected officials found themselves beholden to
foreign interests.   The organisation felt that the allegations affirmed the
EESN’s observation in its 2018 elections report that the elections were marred
with malpractice, especially the use of money to buy favour from the electorate.
“It is no longer about being known by one’s community,  having capacity to
represent the people and  being loyal to serve the people and the country as a
whole. If this malpractice is allowed to continue, the country   may face
serious threats as this might lead to control and pursuit of individual and
foreign interests,” said the organisation.