Africa-Press – Eswatini. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pholile Shakantu has applauded His Majesty King Mswati III for reminding the world that the Tinkhundla system of governance is a democratic system that is home grown and, therefore, best serves the interests of all Emaswati better than a system inherited from others.
The minister of justice and constitutional affairs noted that, overall, direct representation as presented by the Tinkhundla system fosters a closer relationship between citizens and their elected officials, promotes a wider range of choices, encourages independent thinking, enhances representation and diversity, and motivates greater political participation.
These advantages, she said, contribute to a more accountable and responsive democratic system.
The minister further noted that one of the major advantages of direct representation was the increased accountability of elected officials to their constituents.
“With this system, citizens directly elect individual representatives, who are directly answerable to the people who elected them. This improves the connection between representatives and their constituents, as they are directly responsible for addressing their concerns and needs,” said the minister.
She said direct representation allows for a wider array of choices for voters, adding that instead of being limited to candidates selected by political parties, voters can choose from a larger pool of candidates who may have different perspectives, qualifications and priorities.
She said this promotes diversity and enables voters to select candidates who best align with their values and interests.
“Unlike the intermediary structure of political party representation, direct representation encourages flexibility and independent thinking among elected officials. Without the strict party lines to adhere to, representatives have the freedom to approach each issue based on its merits and the needs of their constituents. This allows for greater nuance and adaptability in policy-making,” she added.
She also highlighted that direct representation provides a better opportunity for underrepresented groups to have a voice in governance. She said by allowing candidates to directly run for office, the barriers to entry that might exist within political parties were eliminated. This, she said, can lead to a more diverse range of representatives, promoting better representation and a more inclusive democracy.
“Direct representation often leads to heightened citizen engagement in the political process. When voters feel a direct connection to their elected officials, they are more likely to participate in elections, stay informed about political issues, and get involved in community initiatives.
This active participation strengthens democracy by allowing citizens to have a direct say in shaping their government and society. This was evident during registration for elections in Eswatini, where 90 per cent of eligible voters registered for elections.
The same high level of participation was witnessed during the nomination and primary elections,” added the minister. On the other hand, she said, countries with political parties were witnessing voter apathy and a decline in voter participation. She said these issues reflect a lack of interest, disillusionment, or disconnect among citizens towards their political system.
“When people disengage from the electoral process, it weakens the foundation of democracy, undermines representation, and allows for potential exploitation of the system.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the Hansard Society shows that only 1 per cent of the British describe themselves as active members of a political party,” she concluded.
Source: House of Commons Library, Research Briefing report as at August 30, 2022
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