MBABANE: Eswatini Cabinet Ministers who remained behind after King Mswati dissolved Parliament, might be nominated for another term while in office.
This comes after Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo told the media that Cabinet will remain in office, after the King dissolved Parliament last week.
Reached for comments, Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic
Movement(PUDEMO) said, the Cabinet Ministers who remained behind when the King dissolved Parliament last week “are enjoying an unfair advantage” over other contestants.
“It therefore follows that members of the executive who are contesting elections enjoys an unfair advantage over other contestants. Their remaining in office, enables them to utilise the accompanying cabinet perks to campaign and even roll out cabinet programs to woo more support for their election. This blares the line and disadvantages other contestants who are forced to wait until the end of primaries before they can actively and openly campaign. On the other hand cabinet ministers, who are also contestants, are allowed to go about with their state duties as if they are not contestants.This is just but one of the many embedded unfair elements of Tinkhundla elections that unfortunately political novices are unable to see,”‘said the PUDEMO President.
This weekend voters are expected to nominate aspiring Members of Parliament(MPs) as part of the upcoming Tinkhundla undemocratic elections, political parties are banned from participating in these elections.
It remains to be seen if observers will conclude that the anticipated nomination of Cabinet Ministers while in public office, would adhere to the principles of free and fair elections.
House of Parliament.