Swaziland Vote Attracts Candidates Seeking Democratic Voice
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Swaziland is holding a vote for parliament today that politicians say may herald a step toward representative government in sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
Some political parties are getting around a 40-year ban on their participation in elections by putting forward candidates as individuals so that they can gain influence over policy. The ballot will choose 55 members of the House of Assembly, while King Mswati III will appoint the remaining 10.