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.
21.09.2018
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
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
336
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
285
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
51
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
15.18%
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.
The 2018 elections were the first to be held since the country changed its name to Eswatini ("land of the Swazis") in April 2018 on the anniversary of the country's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
As in previous elections, all candidates stood as independents since the political parties are banned. Most candidates are reportedly loyal to King Mswati III. The African Union (AU) election observers urged Eswatini to consider reviewing the ban on political parties and allow them to compete in elections. The election campaign was low profile: only a few candidate posters were visible and there were no campaign rallies.
On 3 October, the King appointed 10 members to the House of Assembly, including his six siblings, who joined the 59 directly elected members (up from 55 previously) in the new 69-member House of Assembly. The new House of Assembly elected Mr. Petros Mavimbela as its new Speaker, who defeated his predecessor, Mr. Themba Msibi.
As in previous elections, all candidates stood as independents since the political parties are banned. Most candidates are reportedly loyal to King Mswati III. The African Union (AU) election observers urged Eswatini to consider reviewing the ban on political parties and allow them to compete in elections. The election campaign was low profile: only a few candidate posters were visible and there were no campaign rallies.
On 3 October, the King appointed 10 members to the House of Assembly, including his six siblings, who joined the 59 directly elected members (up from 55 previously) in the new 69-member House of Assembly. The new House of Assembly elected Mr. Petros Mavimbela as its new Speaker, who defeated his predecessor, Mr. Themba Msibi.
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
57
Number of women elected
2
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.
3.39%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
The 2005 Constitution requires that women constitute 30 per cent of the total membership of Parliament. Following the 2018 elections, the House of Assembly comprised a total of 70 members of whom 5 were women and the Senate comprised 30 members including 7 women. Thus, there was a total of 12 women out of 100 members (or 12% of women altogether).
The 2005 Constitution stipulates that the House of Assembly elect one woman from each of the four regions of the country in case the number of women is less than 30 per cent of the total membership of Parliament (the House of Assembly and the Senate).
In accordance with the Election of Women to the House of Assembly Act (Act No.09 of 2018), the House of Assembly elected the four additional women on 22 November 2018. They were sworn in on 26 November, bringing the total number of House members to 74, of whom 9 were women. The four women elected by the House of Assembly have the same status as other House members.
In January 2020, Parliament reported that the House of Assembly comprised 7 women out of 73 members while the Senate comprised 12 women out of 30 senators as at 1 January 2020 (Parliament, 31.03.2020, 20.04.2020).
In January 2022, Parliament reported the number of women had never actually decreased to 7 and updated the number of women to 9 out of 74 members, including the (male) Attorney General. (Parliament; 11.01.2022, 19.01.2022, 20.01.2022, 24.01.2022).
The 2005 Constitution stipulates that the House of Assembly elect one woman from each of the four regions of the country in case the number of women is less than 30 per cent of the total membership of Parliament (the House of Assembly and the Senate).
In accordance with the Election of Women to the House of Assembly Act (Act No.09 of 2018), the House of Assembly elected the four additional women on 22 November 2018. They were sworn in on 26 November, bringing the total number of House members to 74, of whom 9 were women. The four women elected by the House of Assembly have the same status as other House members.
In January 2020, Parliament reported that the House of Assembly comprised 7 women out of 73 members while the Senate comprised 12 women out of 30 senators as at 1 January 2020 (Parliament, 31.03.2020, 20.04.2020).
In January 2022, Parliament reported the number of women had never actually decreased to 7 and updated the number of women to 9 out of 74 members, including the (male) Attorney General. (Parliament; 11.01.2022, 19.01.2022, 20.01.2022, 24.01.2022).
Other notes
Political parties are banned.
Sources
House of Assembly (26.09.2018, 12.10.2018, 31.03.2020, 20.04.2020, 11.01.2022, 19.01.2022, 20.01.2022, 24.01.2022)
Parliament (31.03.2020, 20.04.2020)
http://www.elections.org.sz
The Times of Swaziland
African Press Agency
VOA
AllAfrica
Parliament (31.03.2020, 20.04.2020)
http://www.elections.org.sz
The Times of Swaziland
African Press Agency
VOA
AllAfrica
Women Directly Elected
2
Women Appointed
3
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.
64
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.
5
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.
11.10.2018
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.
Petros
Mavimbela
(Male)
Date of election
11.10.2018