MBABANE- Aspiring Members of Parliaments (MPs) are complaining about the activities in the constituencies that are organised by the current MPs, which they viewed as a campaigning strategy.
The aspiring MP who preferred to be under anonymous condition, said it was not fair for them as they have not yet started campaigning. “The Election and Commission Boundaries (EBC) should intervene in this situation,’’ he said.
During the Easter holidays various constituencies all over the country were flooded with various sport activities including soccer games, netball and many more. Most of these activities were being sponsored by the outgoing MPs and some even attended them.
Political parties are banned from taking part in the election, under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.
According to EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bembe 2023 election campaigns would be officially opened after the primary election has been concluded, therefore it was illegitimate for individuals to campaign at the moment. He also highlighted that campaigning activities are then closed 24 hours before the secondary elections.
He highlighted that EBC was an independent and impartial body in the elections and has no authority to punish or disqualify those individuals who were on the wrong side of the law.
He encouraged the aggrieved aspiring MPs to approach the courts of law if there were elements of campaigning in the activities, and bring evidence that proves that the responsible MPs were campaigning. He also revealed that even during the opening of campaigning activities, people who reported for bribery and cheating were directed to the court of law to seek justice as that was not within their jurisdiction.
“The courts are the right structures to approach once you have some dissatisfaction on the elections. They are guided by the Criminary Evidence Act of 1939,’’ he said.
