BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI– Women in Eswatini have been encouraged to participate in the electoral process and take advantage of provisions aimed at improving their representation in Parliament and other elected institutions.
The call forms part of civic and voter education material explaining the representation of women and the requirements for women seeking election to the House of Assembly. Women, together with other groups that have historically been disadvantaged in areas of life, have the right to equal representation in Parliament and other institutions where representatives are chosen through elections.
The civic and voter education outreach teaches about the requirements women must meet to contest parliamentary elections. Women seeking to stand for election must be registered voters in accordance with the Voter Registration Act and meet the qualifications for membership of Parliament set out in Section 96 of the Constitution of Eswatini. They must also be elected by the electorate in accordance with Section 31 of the Elections Act, as amended by the Elections (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2023. The law further provides for the selection of women to contest parliamentary seats where female candidates are not elected directly by voters.
Where women are not elected directly by the electorate, the House of Assembly is required to select women from a list submitted to the Elections and Boundaries Commission, as provided for under Section 31(1) of the Elections (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2023. The provision requires the selection of at least three and no more than five women from each region to contest for seats in the House of Assembly. This creates an additional avenue for women to enter the parliamentary electoral process and strengthens the opportunity for greater female representation in the legislature.
Elections and Boundaries Commission’s civic and voter education sessions further seeks to empower women by providing voters and prospective female candidates with information on the mechanisms available to strengthen women’s representation in Parliament. By raising awareness of the legal provisions governing the electoral process, women are encouraged to understand their rights and take advantage of opportunities to participate meaningfully in political decision-making.
This initiative also equips women with the knowledge needed to prepare for the electoral process, while helping voters understand the importance of supporting and promoting women’s participation in Parliament. Through increased awareness and informed participation, the process aims to contribute towards greater representation of women in the country’s legislative processes.
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