By Bahle Gama
The electorate of Dvokodweni Inkhundla under Ntandweni Chiefdom is going back to the polls after two candidates for Indvuna Yenkhundla position received the same number of electoral votes in the primary elections held on Saturday, producing the only tie at this stage.
This was announced by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Chairman, Prince Mhlabuhlangene on Monday evening during the official announcement of the Primary Elections winners and Nkhanini, Lobamba.
Prince Mhlabuhlangene said the By-elections will be held on Saturday, September 2, at Ntandweni, in the Lubombo region. During the press conference, the EBC Chairman said that as per the constitution and the Elections Act, in the event candidates receive a tie-in, by-elections need to be held.
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According to Prince Mhlabuhlangene, two candidates received 314 votes each and they have to battle it out this coming Saturday to decide the eventual winner who will go through to the secondaries.
On August 26, the country participated in the first stage, the primary elections whereby emaSwati went to their respective constituencies and polling stations to cast their votes for Indvuna Yenkhundla and Members of Parliament.
On another note, the Chairman stated that the next stage of the elections is the campaign period where all candidates will be given an opportunity to engage with the electorate and legitimately canvas for votes. The closing date for campaigning is September 27.
“The electorate is encouraged to participate in the campaign, especially the organized campaign run by EBC, where the audience will be given the opportunity to engage with candidates,” he said.
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The EBC Chairman also clarified that the campaign stage is open for all categories including Bucopho, Indvuna Yenkhundla, and Member of Parliament (MP).
The Chairman further extended appreciation to all emaSwati for the massive turn-out they displayed in the Primary Elections. He said that shortly after the closing of polls, the counting of results ensued where votes were apportioned to candidates.
The results include the consolidation of the diaspora, inmates, electoral officials, essential workers, and other permitted voters as well as the primary election vote.
