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Swazis vote in controversial poll | Swazis vote in controversial poll |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Swaziland is holding its first parliamentary election under a new constitution, amid growing protests calling for more democracy. | Swaziland is holding its first parliamentary election under a new constitution, amid growing protests calling for more democracy. |
Political parties remain banned in the tiny African mountain kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies. | Political parties remain banned in the tiny African mountain kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies. |
The government says it expects a good turnout at the polls, to be watched by foreign observers for the first time. | The government says it expects a good turnout at the polls, to be watched by foreign observers for the first time. |
Some Swazis blame King Mswati III for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic. | Some Swazis blame King Mswati III for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic. |
The king has been in power since 1986. His government recently organised a lavish $12m (£6.6m) party to celebrate the king's 40th birthday as well as the 40th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. | The king has been in power since 1986. His government recently organised a lavish $12m (£6.6m) party to celebrate the king's 40th birthday as well as the 40th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. |
Armed police are guarding polling stations across the landlocked country, after attempted protests by pro-democracy activists. | Armed police are guarding polling stations across the landlocked country, after attempted protests by pro-democracy activists. |
Several union officials were detained on Thursday as they tried to block the border with South Africa in a move they said was aimed at highlighting the country's problems. | Several union officials were detained on Thursday as they tried to block the border with South Africa in a move they said was aimed at highlighting the country's problems. |
'Free and fair' | 'Free and fair' |
The election is the first in Swaziland since an amended constitution was introduced in 2006, allowing for the freedom of association - but keeping a ban on multi-party democracy. | The election is the first in Swaziland since an amended constitution was introduced in 2006, allowing for the freedom of association - but keeping a ban on multi-party democracy. |
In Friday's elections, 55 unaffiliated candidates are to be chosen for Swaziland's national assembly. | In Friday's elections, 55 unaffiliated candidates are to be chosen for Swaziland's national assembly. |
The king picks a further 10 people for the assembly, which then chooses 10 representatives for the senate, with a further 20 selected by the king. | The king picks a further 10 people for the assembly, which then chooses 10 representatives for the senate, with a further 20 selected by the king. |
Electoral official Mzwandile Fakudze told AFP news agency the vote would be "free and fair". | Electoral official Mzwandile Fakudze told AFP news agency the vote would be "free and fair". |
"We have more than six observer missions from different organisations.... We are confident that the process will go on without any disturbances," he was quoted as saying. | "We have more than six observer missions from different organisations.... We are confident that the process will go on without any disturbances," he was quoted as saying. |
Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty. | Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty. |