The State, elections and hidden protest: Swaziland's 2008 elections

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Periodical article

Title:	The State, elections and hidden protest: Swaziland's 2008 elections
Author:	Simelane, Hamilton Sipho
Year:	2010
Periodical:	Journal of African Elections (ISSN 1609-4700)
Volume:	9
Issue:	1
Pages:	16-33
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Swaziland - Eswatini
Subjects:	protest rural areas elections 2008
Abstract:	The electoral process in Swaziland has always been accompanied by controversy as some groups have contested the legitimacy of the elections. So far, only the voices of organized groups in urban areas have been heard, while those of rural communities have been ignored. This article demonstrates that the 2008 elections in Swaziland were accompanied by a great deal of intimidation in the rural areas during the pre-registration and registration periods. This was a response to the hidden protests of some rural communities that manifested themselves in a reluctance or outright refusal to register. There were also threats that scholarships or other forms of State assistance would be withheld from people who refused to register. The main concern among rural communities is that elections will bring no improvement in the quality of life of the majority of the people. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]