Former Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Enock Kavindele and Head of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), on Friday, officially launched the mission for the deployment of observers to four regions in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The purpose of the SEOM deployment is to observe the upcoming General Elections of the Kingdom of Eswatini scheduled for 29th September 2023.
In his address, Kavindele stated that the election of members of the House of Assembly in the Kingdom of Eswatini are in line with the national legal instruments and governed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini through a comprehensive set of relevant laws, including the Elections and Boundaries Commission Act, the Voter Registration Act and the Elections Act.
He urged all stakeholders involved to ensure that the elections are conducted in a manner that is peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible.
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In addition, Kavindele encouraged the observers to maintain an objective approach and conduct themselves with maturity, diplomatic tact, discretion, and “an appreciation for the constitutional and cultural environment of the community,” while he emphasised the significance of the role of the observers in the electoral process.
Also in attendance was Mr. Terry Rose, the Senior Officer for Politics and Diplomacy at the SADC Secretariat, representing Mr. Elias Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC.
The SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini consists of 47 personnel; these being from eight (8) SADC Member States namely, the Republics of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the United Republic of Tanzania.
On 1 October 2023, SADC will release the Preliminary Statement of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission in the Kingdom of Eswatini.