Election observation

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections at the SADC Summit in Mauritius in August 2004. The SADC Principles and Guidelines set out the role of SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM). In terms of the nature and scope of election observation, SADC member states should focus on the following guidelines and factors:

1. Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of the citizens
2. Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
3. Non-discrimination in the voters’ registration
4. Existence of updated and accessible voters roll
5. Timeous announcement of the election date;
6. Where applicable, funding of political parties must be transparent and based on an agreed threshold in accordance with the laws of the land;
7. Polling stations should be in neutral places;
8. Counting of the votes at polling stations;
9. Establishment of the mechanism for assisting the planning and deployment of electoral observation missions
10. SADC Election Observation Missions should be deployed at least two weeks before the voting day.

Election Watch will look at the SADC Principles and Guidelines in more detail in future issues.