Online Reporter
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observation Mission (SEOM) has begun preparations to monitor Zambia’s General Elections, with the head of mission, Mr Samuel Tembenu, arriving in Lusaka ahead of the polls set for August 13.
Mr Tembenu, a former Malawi Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, was appointed by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika, to lead the regional bloc’s election observation mission.
He arrived in the Zambian capital on Tuesday to commence his responsibilities as head of the mission, as SADC intensifies preparations for the observation exercise in line with the regional body’s commitment to promoting democratic governance and credible elections.
On Wednesday, Mr Tembenu is expected to officiate at the certificate award ceremony for short-term election observers after they complete their pre-deployment training.
The observers, drawn from SADC member states, will subsequently be deployed to various parts of Zambia to monitor the electoral process in accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
The official launch of the SADC Election Observation Mission is scheduled for August 6, marking the formal commencement of election observation activities across the country.
The regional mission will assess key aspects of the electoral process, including the pre-election environment, polling, vote counting and the overall conduct of the elections.
After the August 13 harmonised elections, Mr Tembenu will present the SEOM preliminary statement on August 15, outlining the mission’s initial assessment of the electoral process.
SADC routinely deploys election observation missions to member states holding elections as part of efforts to promote peace, political stability and democratic governance across the region.
The missions are guided by the bloc’s principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, which seek to ensure that electoral processes are transparent, credible and reflect the will of the people.
