Swaziland opposition to boycott poll

Swaziland opposition groups to boycott poll
Independent Online - Cape Town,South Africa
By Lunga Masuku Manzini - Opposition groups in Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy, have agreed to boycott parliamentary polls later this year, undertaking instead to push harder for multi-party elections. A dozen political parties, civic organisations and student groupings met in Manzini at the weekend, endorsing the formation of a united front within two months to challenge the status quo in the tiny land-locked kingdom. Mphandlana Shongwe, founder member of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), said taking part in elections would give the state a sheen of false legitimacy ... Political parties were banned in 1973 when the late King Sobhuza II, father of incumbent King Mswati, determined that Westminister-style democracy promoted hatred. The constitution, rewritten in 2006, allows for freedom of association but people can only stand for elections as individuals. The parliament comprises 85 members, more than a third of whom are handpicked by the king who also makes all government appointments ...