BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI- More than 15 000 Emaswati have registered to vote as the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) intensifies its registration campaign ahead of the 2028 national elections, with young people accounting for only 25% of those registered.
The commission has raised concerns about the low participation of young people and persons with disabilities, calling for stronger outreach to ensure that all eligible citizens are represented in the electoral process.
Speaking on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on October 13, 2026, EBC Communications Officer and Spokesperson Mbonisi Bhembe said the registration figures were encouraging but highlighted the need to improve participation among these groups.
“The numbers are encouraging, but 25% is not fully representative of our youth,” Bhembe said, urging young people to take a more active role in the electoral process.
Bhembe said the commission was taking voter education directly to communities while making registration accessible through mobile phones and designated voter registration corners.
Through Day-T-Fundzeni, the EBC is educating Emaswati about electronic voter registration, civic responsibility and voter participation. The initiative also gives members of the public opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns and share their views on electoral matters.
He said the commission had taken seriously concerns raised by Emaswati during the 2023 elections, when citizens called for the EBC to remain visible and engage communities throughout the five-year electoral cycle rather than focusing on the public only when elections approached.
Bhembe said the commission was committed to preparing citizens well in advance of the 2028 elections and strengthening public understanding of democratic participation.
The registration figures, however, indicate that more work is needed to bring young people into the process. According to Bhembe, Central Statistics Office data shows that young people make up more than half of the population aged 18 and above, yet they account for only a quarter of those who have registered.
He urged community structures, parliamentary offices and local forums to develop programmes that encourage young people to participate in civic affairs and electoral processes.
The EBC has also expressed concern about the low visibility of persons with disabilities in voter registration and civic education activities.
Bhembe said Central Statistics Office data indicated that persons with disabilities accounted for approximately 13% of the country’s population, making their limited presence in registration activities a concern.
“We wish to see them come forward so that we can support them and ensure that our programmes reach them where they are,” he said.
He said the commission planned to intensify outreach to establish the barriers preventing persons with disabilities from accessing registration services and voter education.
Bhembe questioned whether these citizens were being reached effectively in their communities, stressing that the commission needed to ensure that no eligible person was excluded from the electoral process.
He said inclusive elections required more than general awareness campaigns, as registration services and information had to reach people where they lived.
Meanwhile, Bhembe reminded eligible Emaswati of the registration requirements under the Voter Registration Amendment Act of 2023.
Applicants must present a national identity card as proof of identity and citizenship, provide proof of residence and indicate the area in which they intend to vote. Utility bills are among the documents commonly used to establish residence.
Bhembe said the requirements were intended to ensure that voters registered in the appropriate areas, addressing concerns about people registering in communities where they did not reside and potentially influencing local electoral outcomes.
He encouraged eligible Emaswati to use the available registration platforms and participate in voter education programmes.
As preparations for the 2028 elections continue, the EBC is seeking to increase registration, strengthen public understanding of electoral processes and improve participation among young people and persons with disabilities.
The commission’s priority is to ensure that eligible citizens are informed, registered and able to participate meaningfully in choosing their representatives.
#EswatiniPositiveNews #EBC #EVoterRegistration #VoterEducation #2028Elections
(Courtesy Pic)
