Africa-Press – Eswatini. Drama unfolded during the regional MP nominations process yesterday after a blunder was made when counting the Shiselweni nomination papers.
This resulted in an 11-hour drama as the nomination process was nearly thrown into disarray, which prompted the Members of Parliament (MPs) to start the Shiselweni nominations counting afresh.
The legislators ignored advice from the Attorney General, Sifiso Khumalo who said if anyone had a contestation on the process, they should take the matter to court.
However, the legislators resolved that in order to make the process transparent, they were obliged to start the process afresh.
During the counting process, one of the aspiring MPs, Thembelihle Mabuza was scored 118 points instead of 149 points, meaning she qualified to be included in the top five candidates. This automatically would lead to the disqualification of another candidate Lungile Nxumalo, who attained 126 points to make the cut initially.
The top five candidates under the Shiselweni Region had been announced. They had already taken pictures for the ballot papers when the process was started afresh.
Meanwhile, former MPs Lady Howard-Mabuza and Trusty Gina managed to make the cut in their respective regions, while former Manzini South MP Thandi Nxumalo missed out after failing to attain enough points.
The nomination process lasted for over 11 hours due to the recounting of the Shiselweni nominations.
The blunder was first pointed out by Khubuta MP Masiphula Mamba, who said the formula was not clear and said some of the contestants were complaining that they had been robbed as their points were given to other candidates.
He was seconded by Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, who pointed out that there was a candidate who was eliminated yet evidence proved that she qualified.
“In order for the process to be transparent, I propose a recount for the Shiselweni region,” said Dlamini.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka said the counting process should be confidential and proposed that they should be included in the counting exercise.
transparent
He added that they were undersigned the platform which was Microsoft excel in the calculation, advising that they should consider utilising same properly.
“Let us be involved in the calculation of the nominations so that we have a clear and transparent calculation,” he said.
Speaker Jabulani Mabuza said he was open to a recount so that they could fix the blunder if it had been made. He however ruled that they should continue with counting the nominations for the other three regions and would conduct the recount at the end of the process.
Mabuza also encouraged the MPs to be part of the process and flag issues immediately and not wait till late and then force a recount.
His sentiments were echoed by Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba, who said the MPs were free to check and follow the process and would be open to a recount if need be.
Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla enquired what would happen because the candidates had already taken pictures for the ballot papers and begun the vetting process.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi shared a differing view. He said they had already completed the process and advised that anyone who had a contestation should engage the returning officer.
contestation
His submissions prompted Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini to rise on a point of order and question what law Buthelezi was basing his submissions on. “Buthelezi should state the legislation that provides for what he is saying instead of disregarding the submissions and suggestions,” said Dlamini.
AG Khumalo advised that anyone who had a contestation on the process should file an official complaint in court and call for a recount.
Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba noted that the whole process was disturbing and insisted that they had reservations about the transparency of the process. Mamba insisted that they should be involved in the counting process.
Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla proposed that they should consider doing what the MPs were saying and conduct a recount of the Shiselweni Region nominations in the interest of time.
After the nominations for other regions were completed, Speaker Mabuza ruled that they should conduct a recount and start the process afresh despite the advice from the AG.
After the process was completed for the second time, Lungile Nxumalo, who was initially included in the top five candidates, was disqualified and Thembelihle Mabuza took her spot in the top five candidates from the Shiselweni region.
After the process was completed, Clerk to Parliament Xaba announced that the names of 20 candidates would be published in the local media for three days.
He added that the candidates would then be granted 10 days to canvas for votes.
The speaker added that the nominated upcoming MPs would be called to make their public campaign submissions before the voting process was undertaken.
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