ESWATINI - The last absolute monarchy in Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini, will hold its parliamentary elections on Friday.
READ: Hundreds pay tribute to slain Eswatini rights activist
But it's a vote in name only as political parties are banned from contesting because the country's constitution emphasises 'individual merit' as the basis for selecting lawmakers, who cannot be affiliated with any political group.
Almost 600,000 registered voters will be called to choose 59 members of the lower house of parliament.
They'll play an advisory role to the monarch. Mswati, who can veto any legislation, directly appoints another 10 lawmakers.