By SIFISO NHLABATSI | 2023-08-23

THE special voting process which took place yesterday saw a huge turn-out when compared to the last special voting exercise in 2018.

The huge turn-out was a result of the new changes that have been introduced by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) in line with the Elections Amendment Act No 8 of 2023.

There were three polling stations used by the EBC for the special voting process yesterday and these included Manzini Central High School, which accommodated those from Lubombo and Shiselweni Regions, St Michaels High School, which housed those from Hhohho region while the Divine Healing Ministries Hall accommodated voters under the Manzini Region.

EBC Commissioner, Prince Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini said the amendments of the Elections Act was done in a bid to enhance credibility and transparency of the electoral process by addressing gaps that had been observed in the past years.

The changes include the counting of the votes on the day of the voting, as per the amended Section 63 (1) of the Principal Act which incorporates a requirement that counting of votes take place at polling station, and will also apply in the counting of the special voting ballots.

This time around the EBC had also invited nominees to come and observe the special voting process.  The nominees came in great numbers with their campaigning agents (bogalajane) and supporters, resulting in the huge numbers.

Another factor which resulted into numbers surging was members of the public who went to the polling stations with the hope that they would be allowed to participate in the voting process.

However to their dismay, they were turned back after being told that only people who would be working on Saturday would be allowed to take part in the process. Elections Officer, Hlobisile Dlamini had a hard time turning people back as they were not eligible to take part.

EBC Communications Officer, Mbonisi Bhembe said the reason for the huge turnout was mainly because the EBC had hired a lot of locals for the elections process. He said the response during the registrations was also overwhelming and the number of people who ended up being nominated was huge.

“This huge turn-out was really appreciated and it is pleasing to see Emaswati turning up in such numbers. If it were up to people would participate 100 per cent in elections, in fact we would love to see them going all out to participate in events that touches their lives, be it at Imiphakatsi level or national events,” Bhembe stated.  

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