Voters in Swaziland are choosing a new parliament.Candidates are hand-picked by traditional chiefs who are loyal to King Mswati III.King Mswati recently described his country's electoral system as a "monarchical democracy".
Political parties were officially banned in Swaziland in the 1970s - a restriction yet to be overturned, although they are now allowed to register.
Banned opposition groups, mainly based in South Africa, have called for a boycott of the election
The European Union and Southern African groups have sent observers to the polls.
Description of government structure:
- Chief of State: King MSWATI III
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI
- Assembly: Swaziland has a Bicameral Parliament (Libandla) consisting of the Senate with 30 seats and the House of Assembly with 65 seats.
Description of electoral system:
- The King is hereditary head of state.
- Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch.
- In the Senate, 20 members are appointed by the monarch to serve 5-year terms and 10 members are elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve 5-year terms. In the House of Assembly, 10 members are appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms and 55 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms.
Population:
- Population: 1,403,362 (July 2013 est.)
Past election
- Parliamentary - September 19, 2008
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