Pinda leads SADC electoral observer mission in Botswana
GABORONE: FORMER Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has received a report on the preparations for the observation of the upcoming Botswana’s general election.
Mr been appointed to lead the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) ahead of Botswana’s general election, scheduled for October 30th this year.
Mr Pinda arrived in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday and was welcomed by the Tanzanian Ambassador to Botswana, James Bwana, who resides in South Africa at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
Mr Pinda was appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan who is the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Yesterday, he received a report on the preparations for the observation of the upcoming election.
That was after he chaired a briefing meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (SADC Troika) in Gaborone, Botswana.
The brief meeting received and discussed a report from the SADC Secretariat on the implementation of the election observation mission for Botswana’s General Election and outlining how the SEOM will carry out its duties during Botswana’s general election.
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After receiving the brief report, he expressed his confidence that the preparations and plans for election observation would go smoothly and enable SEOM to carry out its mandate and recommendations accordingly.
He noted that a well-executed observation mission, will come with clear recommendations that could help the observed country to improve organisation for future elections.
The meeting was attended by Troika representatives from Zambia, Malawi, the Chair, Tanzania and the SADC Secretariat.
During his time in Botswana, tomorrow former Premier Pinda will launch the SADC Election Observers Mission (SEOM) and is expected to engage with a diverse array of election stakeholders.
The stakeholders include the Botswana Electoral Commission, SADC Ambassadors in Botswana, political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, relevant institutions and the media.
The engagement aims at clarifying the role and objectives of the SEOM throughout the electoral process, ensuring transparency and effective communication leading up to the completion of the elections.
On October 30th, this year, Botswana will determine the 13th Parliament as well as elect local councils nationwide, where 61 seats in the National Assembly and 609 local council seats, will be contested using first-past-the-post voting system.
The SEOM, will deploy election observers to all districts, cities and towns of Botswana where they will observe the country’s pre-election phase, polling day and post-election processes throughout the upcoming General Elections.
In accordance with Article 3 of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), SADC shall observe all general elections held in its Member States.
As per the standard practice of observing General Elections in all SADC Member States, the Government of the Republic of Botswana invited the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to observe the country’s upcoming General Elections.
These principles emphasise the importance of citizen participation in the democratic and development processes, the implementation of measures to prevent political violence, intimidation and intolerance and the promotion of equal opportunities for all political parties to access the State Media and for all citizens to access information.
Furthermore, the Mission emphasises the importance of acknowledging and respecting the election outcomes by all political entities.
To promote electoral integrity, electoral justice, good governance, peace and stability in the SADC region and to give effect to the commitment contained in the SADC principles and guidelines, the launch of SEOM will include various election awareness activities for the electoral stakeholders to learn and appreciate the work of the SEOM.
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