STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER
DR B.S.S.DLAMINI
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING THE 2013 NATIONAL ELECTIONS
AT THE CABINET OFFICES
MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media
It is my honour to extend the Nation’s thanks to His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Queen Mother for the encouragement, guidance and motivation that they extended to all who participated in the 2013 National Elections.
On behalf of Their Majesties, it is my privilege to express gratitude to the Nation for the enthusiasm and exemplary conduct demonstrated at the Elections.
Not every country in the world can honestly say, as we can, that its national elections have proceeded freely, fairly and peacefully. Of our achievement, confirmed by observers, we should, as a Nation, feel immensely proud.
Gratitude should also be expressed to the chiefs since it was through them that the holding of elections was made possible. Our thanks must also go to the Elections and Boundaries Commission who coordinated the holding of elections.
On behalf of Their Majesties, I congratulate the winners of each constituency at the same time as applauding those who did not win, for their energy, commitment and attitude.
We are very grateful to the observers who came to our country to attend and monitor the election process. We trust that they will have learned a good deal about our political system. We do appreciate the favourable comments received and have noted their observations and will ensure that, where necessary, our next elections accommodate these.
And appreciation must be mentioned for all the prayers that were said for the elections to proceed smoothly and satisfactorily. After His Majesty announced the holding of elections, the Christian Churches and other religious groups have prayed fervently for the election process and we believe that Divine Intervention has led to such popular and successful elections.
The media have also made a very substantial contribution to the process in the quality of their reporting and in the way they have faithfully captured the enthusiasm throughout the country and, in due course, the results themselves.
It was, however, a disappointment to many that only one woman was elected to the coming Parliament. Their Majesties are committed to redressing the gender imbalance that currently exists among elected members of Parliament but it is for the Nation to ensure that strategies are in place for implementing the wish of Their Majesties. It is, therefore, the intention that a long term strategy will be drawn up that paves the way for ensuring that the requisite number of women are elected to Parliament in 2018. Women are expected to demonstrate to the electorate the positive contribution that they are capable of making in the activities of Parliament.
Elected members of Parliament are reminded that, as the legislative arm of our monarchical democracy, their main function is to work with our Monarchy towards the further development of our country. They should not, therefore, respond to direction from anyone other than His Majesty and the respective constituents on how they carry out their duties. Meetings of members of Parliament should take place in Parliament and be thoroughly transparent. Members should now await the announcement of the dates, to be approved by His Majesty, regarding the forthcoming workshop on Parliamentary procedure, Standing Orders and the code of conduct to be followed by members of Parliament.
Thank you.