In Swaziland, Voters are choosing a new parliament, even though political parties cannot take part and the king retains absolute power.

According to CEOAFRICA.com findings, candidates are hand-picked by traditional chiefs loyal to King Mswati, an election which he described as “monarchical democracy”.

King Mswati remains Africa's last absolute monarch, with the powers to rule by decree and dissolve the 55-member parliament whenever he wants.

He has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, as he recently announced that he would be taking his 15th wife, an 18-year old beauty queen whom he spotted at the annual reed dance.

Political parties were officially banned in Swaziland in the 1970s - a restriction yet to be overturned, although they are now allowed to register.

Observers have gone to the country from European Union and Southern African groups to observe the poll.

While King Mswati's family has ruled Swaziland since the 1800s there has been growing criticism of his large family's lavish lifestyle at a time when many in the country live below the poverty line.