Online Reporter
Online Writer
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially deployed its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Malawi ahead of the country’s General Elections scheduled for September 16.
The mission follows Article 3 of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), which requires the regional bloc to observe all general elections held within its member states.
Malawi’s government extended a formal invitation to SADC on December 9, 2024, requesting the deployment of observers for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government polls.
Incoming chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation King Mswati III of Eswatini authorised the deployment.
He appointed Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, Eswatini’s former Deputy Prime Minister, as the Head of Mission.
The deployment is being coordinated by the SADC Secretariat under the leadership of Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi, who is overseeing logistics and in-country arrangements for the observers.
A SADC Secretariat support team arrived in Lilongwe on September 1, 2025 to prepare for the mission’s rollout.
Observers will be stationed in all 28 districts of Malawi.
Their work will cover the pre-election phase, polling day and post-election processes, ensuring compliance with SADC principles that promote free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections.
As part of its mandate, the SEOM will hold wide-ranging consultations with key electoral stakeholders.
These include the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), relevant government departments, political parties, civil society groups, women and youth organisations, the diplomatic community and other non-state actors.
SADC’s observation role is designed to enhance confidence in Malawi’s electoral processes and strengthen the region’s commitment to democratic governance.
