BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – More than 7 000 Emaswati have already registered to vote for 2028 electios, with women accounting for over half of the registrations and youth participation climbing towards 30 per cent.
The latest figures from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) point to rising public participation in the continuous voter registration exercise, with the Commission now taking registration closer to communities in all four regions.
EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe said more than 7 000 Emaswati had registered during the past two weeks across three constituencies.
“As we speak, over 7 000 Emaswati have registered over the past two weeks across three constituencies,” Bhembe said.
He said the registration numbers were continuing to rise, signalling growing participation as eligible citizens respond to the call to register.
“Looking at the progress since we started, we can see that the participation rate continues to rise day by day,” he said.
A major feature of the latest figures is the strong participation of women, who now account for more than 53 per cent of those registered.
Bhembe said women had started slowly during the first week but their participation had increased significantly as the exercise progressed.
“We are particularly pleased with the participation of women. Initially, during the first week, their numbers appeared low, but they have since stepped up significantly,” he said.
Youth participation is also emerging as a significant part of the registration drive, with young people accounting for about 28 per cent of the registrants.
The EBC said the participation of first-time registrants aged between 18 and 21 was particularly encouraging, placing young people among the key groups responding to the registration call.
“This shows that the youth recognise their vital role in the governance of the country,” Bhembe said.
He urged young Emaswati to register and take part in the country’s civic processes.
“Young people must participate as we discuss and shape the future of our nation and elections, and we are counting on them to register,” he said.
The registration drive is now entering another phase, with the EBC preparing to take the process directly into four constituencies following consultations with community leaders.
From September 24, 2026, registration will be conducted for two weeks in Hhukwini Constituency in Hhohho, Gilgal Constituency in Lubombo, Mafutseni Constituency in Manzini and Khubuta Constituency in Shiselweni.
“The Commission is pleased to announce that following consultations with community leaders across four constituencies in the four regions, voter registration has been approved to move closer to the people,” Bhembe said.
The decision places accessibility at the centre of the next phase, giving eligible citizens in the selected constituencies a more direct opportunity to complete the registration process.
Bhembe said community participation was equally important beyond registration, urging citizens to attend constituency and community meetings and make their concerns known.
“When we hold community and constituency meetings, community members should attend, contribute, and express their needs,” he said.
According to the EBC, such participation enables communities to communicate their priorities to constituency leadership, local government, regional administration and central government.
Bhembe said active participation allows citizens to take ownership of issues affecting their communities and contribute to the planning process.
“In doing so, citizens take active ownership of their communities and country,” he said.
Prospective registrants have been urged to come prepared with their national identity cards and proof of residence when they visit registration points.
The EBC said the requirements are intended to ensure that the registration process complies with the law and that the details of registrants are properly verified.
With the latest figures showing women above the 50 per cent mark and youth participation nearing 30 per cent, the registration exercise is increasingly drawing participation from groups whose involvement is central to the country’s electoral process.
Bhembe urged eligible Emaswati aged 18 and above not to delay registering.
“We encourage everyone aged 18 and older to take on this important responsibility,” he said.
He also called on citizens in the four constituencies to make full use of the two-week registration window beginning September 24.
“We appeal to all Emaswati to act promptly and make efficient use of this two-week window starting September 24th to complete their voter registration,” Bhembe said.
The EBC’s latest figures therefore place the focus firmly on participation — with more than 7 000 registrations recorded, women making up 53 per cent and youth accounting for 28 per cent — as the Commission expands registration access to communities across the country.
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