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Swazi 'palace bomb' plotters die Swazi 'palace bomb' plotters die
(10 minutes later)
Two people about to plant a bomb in Swaziland near one of the royal palaces were killed when the device prematurely exploded, police say.Two people about to plant a bomb in Swaziland near one of the royal palaces were killed when the device prematurely exploded, police say.
They made the announcement late on Sunday after the results of parliamentary polls were released.They made the announcement late on Sunday after the results of parliamentary polls were released.
Political parties are banned in the tiny kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies.Political parties are banned in the tiny kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies.
Several union officials were detained ahead of Friday's polls as they took part in protests demanding reforms.Several union officials were detained ahead of Friday's polls as they took part in protests demanding reforms.
Some Swazis blame King Mswati III - who has been in power since 1986 - for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic.Some Swazis blame King Mswati III - who has been in power since 1986 - for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic.
Referendum callReferendum call
Police spokesman Vusi Masuku said a third man from neighbouring South Africa, who was also involved in the attempted attack on Saturday night, was arrested and will be tried for treason.Police spokesman Vusi Masuku said a third man from neighbouring South Africa, who was also involved in the attempted attack on Saturday night, was arrested and will be tried for treason.
The accomplices were trying to plant the bomb on a bridge near the royal household outside the capital, Mbabane.The accomplices were trying to plant the bomb on a bridge near the royal household outside the capital, Mbabane.
The BBC's Thulani Mtwethwa in the landlocked country says the election was the first held under a new constitution.Pro-democracy activists held protests earlier this monthThe BBC's Thulani Mtwethwa in the landlocked country says the election was the first held under a new constitution.Pro-democracy activists held protests earlier this month
He said there were a few surprises amongst the unaffiliated candidates chosen: two state radio announcers have become MPs and the health minister lost his seat.He said there were a few surprises amongst the unaffiliated candidates chosen: two state radio announcers have become MPs and the health minister lost his seat.
It was also the first poll where foreign observers were allowed in.It was also the first poll where foreign observers were allowed in.
The Southern African Development Community observers said the poll was "free and fair".The Southern African Development Community observers said the poll was "free and fair".
The mission's head congratulated the Swazi people as they embarked "on their gradual and challenging road for the entrenchment of democracy".The mission's head congratulated the Swazi people as they embarked "on their gradual and challenging road for the entrenchment of democracy".
But Mary Mugyenyi, head of the Pan-African Parliament observers, had concerns.But Mary Mugyenyi, head of the Pan-African Parliament observers, had concerns.
"The mission observed the following challenges: political parties were not permitted to contest in the elections."The mission observed the following challenges: political parties were not permitted to contest in the elections.
"This restriction infringes on the rights of those citizens wishing to participate in elections through political parties and does not meet regional and international standards.""This restriction infringes on the rights of those citizens wishing to participate in elections through political parties and does not meet regional and international standards."
She recommended that a national referendum be held to ask the Swazi people whether they wanted party politics.She recommended that a national referendum be held to ask the Swazi people whether they wanted party politics.
Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty.Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty.