18 Oct 2020

Masisi, in his capacity as chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, has appointed Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, to head the virtual SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) to Seychelles and Tanzania.

A press release from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation says the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu, will serve as the alternate head of the electoral observation missions.

It states that Seychelles will hold Presidential and National Assembly Elections from October 22 to 24, while the general elections of Tanzania will take place on October 28.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols in place, the release says the SEOMs will only constitute representatives from the SADC Organ Troika member states; Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and members of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC).

The release says the missions will be supported by the SADC secretariat.

According to the release, engagement of the SEOMs will be limited to virtual consultations with electoral stakeholders in Seychelles and Tanzania during the pre-election, election and immediate post-election phases.

The consultations will take place from October 13 to 30, says the release.
Among others, the release says stakeholders will include electoral management bodies (EMBs), political parties, religious leaders, members of the media, and civil society groups.

During the consultations, the SADC Electoral Observation Missions will be guided by the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015) according to the release. ENDS