Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched a pre-deployment training programme for more than 100 short-term election observers ahead of Zambia’s General Elections scheduled for August 13, 2026.
The four-day training, running from August 1 to 4 in Lusaka, forms part of preparations for the deployment of the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM), which will monitor the conduct of the polls across the country.
The programme has brought together observers drawn from SADC Member States alongside members of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) and officials from the SADC Secretariat. Upon completion of the training, the observers will be deployed to various parts of Zambia to assess different stages of the electoral process.
Among the facilitators are SEAC Deputy Chairperson, Dr Leonard Sesa of Botswana and Ambassador Joseph Nourrice of Seychelles, who are assisting in equipping observers with the knowledge and practical skills required to conduct professional, impartial and credible election observation.
The training curriculum focuses on Zambia’s electoral, political and legal framework, election observation methodologies, electoral systems, election-day procedures, reporting requirements, deployment protocols and the use of digital observation tools to strengthen the efficiency and accuracy of observation missions.
According to SADC, the programme is designed to ensure that observers are adequately prepared to execute their mandate in accordance with regional standards and best practices.
The election observation mission will operate under the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as well as the Revised Structure of SADC Election Observation Missions, which provide the framework for promoting democratic governance, transparency, inclusiveness and peaceful electoral processes within the region.
SADC has consistently deployed election observation missions to Member States holding national elections as part of its broader commitment to supporting credible electoral processes and strengthening democratic institutions across Southern Africa.
The regional bloc said the deployment of the mission to Zambia reflects its continued commitment to promoting peace, political stability and good governance through independent election observation.
Zambia is expected to hold its General Elections on August 13, with the Sadc Election Observation Mission joining other accredited observer groups in monitoring the conduct of the polls and assessing their compliance with regional democratic standards.
