Eswatini
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
29.09.2023
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
59
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Notes
Political parties are banned.
There is no party system, or all candidates stood as independents.
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Pro-royalist candidates fared well in the 2023 elections to the House of Assembly. According to the Government, more than 500,000 people, or 91% of the eligible population, registered to vote. Political parties are banned in the kingdom of about 1.2 million people. Thus all candidates ran as independents. Eight women were elected in 2023 (up from two in 2018) and four women were appointed by the King.
The 2023 elections were the first to be held after the 2021 pro-democracy movement, which the security forces had tried to suppress. Participants in the movement demanded electoral reforms that would allow them to choose their own prime minister. Two members of the previous parliament who supported the pro-democracy movement were jailed, and a third fled the country. A large part of the opposition called for a boycott ahead of the vote. On 3 November, King Mswati appointed Mr. Russell Mmemo Dlamini as the new Prime Minister, replacing Mr. Cleopas Dlamini, who had assumed the premiership following the 2021 protests.
The 2023 elections were the first to be held after the 2021 pro-democracy movement, which the security forces had tried to suppress. Participants in the movement demanded electoral reforms that would allow them to choose their own prime minister. Two members of the previous parliament who supported the pro-democracy movement were jailed, and a third fled the country. A large part of the opposition called for a boycott ahead of the vote. On 3 November, King Mswati appointed Mr. Russell Mmemo Dlamini as the new Prime Minister, replacing Mr. Cleopas Dlamini, who had assumed the premiership following the 2021 protests.
There is no data on political parties, for example because there is no party system or candidates stood as independents.
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Note on the alternation of power
Monarchy
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
51
Number of women elected
8
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
13.56%
Other notes
Political parties are banned.
Women Directly Elected
8
Women Appointed
4
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
58
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
12
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
06.10.2023
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Jabulani
Mabuza
(Male)
Date of election
06.10.2023