A heavy fine for deciding to vote in Swaziland.

An uproar arose in  Lavumisa as residents of the Kwaluseni Chiefdom were forced  to contribute in feeding the registration officers that are stationed in the area.

According to the Times of Swaziland dated (25/05/2015), members of the chiefdom feel like they are being made to pay  a heavy price for showing interest in participating in the forthcoming election.

Kwaluseni Headman Nkosini Sibandze voiced out during a community meeting that members of the chiefdom should consider contributing chickens to feed voter registration clerk and other ancillary staff at the local registration Centre.

On the daily basis of the registration process, members of the chiefdom allege that there is always one official from Umphakatsi who always remind or encourage the public to bring the chicken for slaughter. The Headman is also accused of visiting homestead still encouraging them to bring the chickens.

According to the Times of Swaziland, a woman resident of the chiefdom was ridiculed for  submitted beans to the registration where they kept on insisting on the meat. The majority of residents around Mgamudzi and surrounding area, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Chiefdom live in poverty. Some of them survive on one meal per day due to failed harvest.

This is not the only area that has been conflicted by the registration process. Not long ago, Swaziland Broadcasting Information Services radio station reported that member of Mbangweni Umphakatsi in the Shiselweni Region were not happy about the process of hiring the registration clerks. Speaker of parliament and Acting chief of Kontshingila responding to the news stated that it is the duty of the chiefdom to hire the clerks and it depends on who you are, who your parents are and weather you are active enough in the chiefdom’s duties.

Swazi Observer dated 22/05/2018 reported that members of the Engwenyameni Chiefdom declared that they will not be participating in the national elections and labeled the Election and Boundaries Commission as corrupt for not paying attention to their request.