Image: LN24SA
The last absolute monarchy in Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini, will hold parliamentary elections today, with political parties banned from contesting.
The constitution emphasises “individual merit” as the basis for selecting lawmakers, who cannot be affiliated with any political group. Being in the good graces of King Mswati III, who wields absolute power, also carries much weight.
In addition to elected lawmakers, 10 are directly appointed by King Mswati III. Mswati can veto any legislation. The king is constitutionally above the law. He appoints the prime minister and the cabinet, can dissolve both parliament and the government and commands police and the army.
Political parties have unclear status and cannot directly take part in the vote. They were effectively banned in 1973, but a new constitution in 2005 provided an opening allowing for freedom of association. Still, in practice, there is no legal avenue for them to register, according to democracy watchdog Freedom House.
The People’s United Democratic Movement, one of the largest opposition movements, has been declared a “terrorist” organisation and banned. Two opposition lawmakers elected in the last vote in 2018 are currently in jail. A third is in exile. Most opposition groupings have called for a boycott.
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