Mbabane – Sixteen candidates have been nominated from the Macudvulwini Umphakatsi under Ngwempisi Inkhundla to contest the upcoming Bucopho by-elections which has been allocated a space of 20 days to conclude.
The position became vacant following the death of the area’s previous Bucopho. Of the 16 nominated candidates, 13 are men while three are women.
At Mphumakudze Umphakatsi under Siphofaneni Inkhundla, eight candidates were nominated for the same position. Among them are five women and three men, with two of the nominees being youth, a young man and a young woman.
According to Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe, the next stage will be the vetting process. This process will determine whether candidates meet the required criteria, including being EmaSwati citizens, having no criminal record, and being up to date with their tax obligations.
Bhembe expressed encouragement over the participation of young people at Mphumakudze, noting that youth involvement in community governance is vital.
“What we saw at Mphumakudze was encouraging because young people were nominated. We continue to call on more youth to participate in community structures, since they are educated and innovative, and their ideas can help communities develop,” he said.
He further reminded residents of the communities that the campaign period for the by-elections will run from Saturday, November 1, until November 20, with the elections scheduled for November 22.
.
Discussion about this post