Africa-Press – Eswatini. Elections and Boundaries Commission Chairman, Prince Mhlabuhlangene, has accused parliamentarians of sleeping on the job, something which he says has led to the nation revolting against the monarchy.
The prince said in terms of parliamentary democracy that was operative under the Tinkhundla system of governance, the Executive arm of government was fully subject to and accountable to the Legislature, which was the Parliament elected by the people.
He said there was no way the prime minister and Cabinet could overrule Parliament because nothing could be approved without the MPs.
“We have seen instances before where budgets were never approved by MPs, hence we say Parliament has the power more than the Cabinet.
“The truth is that there are people who are sleeping on the job in Parliament and that has led to the nation to revolt against the monarchy,” he said.
The prince said Parliament was above Cabinet, hence MPs were responsible for holding the prime minister and Cabinet accountable.
“Parliament is the master and we really don’t understand when some people say they want an elected prime minister while the MPs are the prime minister’s bosses. This shows that some MPs do not know their jobs. “This is because in the system used in the country, Cabinet is fully accountable to the nation,” he said.
According to the chairperson, the yardstick for determining democracy in the establishment of government was not on the basis of how the prime minister was appointed but it was solely a function of how Parliament was established through free, fair and credible elections.
He was speaking during the workshop between EBC, princes and chiefs from Hhohho region on the introduction of the civic and voter education exercise in preparation for next year’s elections.
He stated that the Legislature in Eswatini was made up of people working together with their majesties.
“So why do we want an elected prime minister?
How does that affect us being democratic or not?
“What is very important for democracy is how Parliament is elected,” he stated.
Legislature
The chairperson further stated that when one looked at the country’s Legislature, it was clear that the majority of the parliamentarians were elected in the various constituencies.
The prince wondered why Eswatini was not commended when the county had done so well in terms of the system of governance.
The prince said Parliament was elected by the people and for the people.
He disputed the calls by people who call themselves pro-democracy activists that Parliament was not elected by the people.
The prince said nothing like that existed as members of parliament were elected by the people from the 59 constituencies.
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