Ex-Indvuna Fana Sipho Tsabedze Wins St Paul's Bucopho By-Election

Fana Sipho Tsabedze, the former Indvuna yeNkhundla for Manzini North, has been declared the winner of the St Paul's Bucopho by-election. The by-election was held on Saturday, and Tsabedze secured the position with 262 votes out of 633 total accepted and counted ballots. The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) announced the results late Saturday evening, confirming Tsabedze as the new Bucopho for the St Paul's polling division.

The by-election was held to fill a vacancy in the St Paul's polling division. Voting officially opened at 7 am on Saturday and proceeded smoothly, with no reported incidents of unrest. The EBC confirmed that the digital application, the EBC App, was activated to track the process, ensuring transparency throughout the day. A total of 635 ballot papers were issued for the poll, with 633 being utilised and two deemed rejected.

Deputy Commissioner of the EBC, Bishop Sipho Tembe, announced the results at a press briefing on Saturday evening. He stated that the counting process was highly efficient, resulting in no spoiled ballot papers. The EBC's official Ballot Paper Account confirmed that 633 votes were accepted and counted. Tsabedze's victory was secured with 262 votes, a decisive win in the competitive race.

Tsabedze's background in governance is expected to serve him well in his new role. As the former Indvuna yeNkhundla for Manzini North, he brings a wealth of administrative experience to the position of Bucopho. His victory is notable, given the competitive nature of the by-election and the presence of other candidates.

Mashayinkonjane Nhlengetfwa, a previous Bucopho and current Member of Parliament for Manzini North, is among the prominent figures in the region. The St Paul's polling division is part of the Manzini North constituency, which Nhlengetfwa represents in Parliament. Tsabedze's win may have implications for local governance and representation in the area.

The by-election was closely monitored by the EBC, candidates, their agents, and election observers. The smooth conduct of the election and the transparent counting process helped to build confidence in the outcome. The EBC's use of technology, including the EBC App, contributed to the efficiency and transparency of the process.

Tsabedze's victory marks a significant development in the local governance landscape of Eswatini. As the newly elected Bucopho for the St Paul's polling division, he will play a crucial role in addressing the needs and concerns of the local community. His experience as a former Indvuna yeNkhundla is expected to inform his approach to the position.

Key points

• Fana Sipho Tsabedze won the St Paul's Bucopho by-election with 262 votes out of 633 total accepted ballots.