Niël Terblanché
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially launched its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) for Namibia’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in a week.
Anne Semamba Makinda, the head of SEOM and former Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly officiated at the launch in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Makinda lauded Namibia’s peaceful and tolerant election tradition and set the country as a regional example.
The elections on 27 November, will mark the culmination of Namibia’s electoral calendar for the year.
Advanced voting for eligible citizens took place on 13 November, both within Namibia and abroad, which is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to facilitating voter participation.
At the launch, Makinda said election observation in the SADC is grounded in its Revised Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), developed to consolidate democracy and enhance best electoral practices.
“These principles align with broader frameworks like the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and relevant UN conventions. This process is not just a short-term exercise; it forms part of a broader electoral cycle designed to improve systems for the benefit of all citizens,” Makinda said.
According to Makinda, the preparation for this year’s observation mission began long before the launch.
In early 2023, the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) conducted a post-election review of Namibia’s 2019 elections.
Later, from July to August 2024, SEAC returned to assess the readiness of Namibia’s Electoral Commission (ECN) and the broader political environment for the upcoming polls.
The council also monitored voter registration activities in Windhoek and received insights from a diverse range of stakeholders.
Namibia’s electoral framework, governed by its Constitution and Electoral Act, was recognised as robust and comprehensive.
“The SEOM will evaluate the elections based on principles such as civic participation, human rights, equal media access, and electoral justice,” she said.
Makinda added that the mission aims to ensure that the process is transparent, free from violence, and inclusive. SEOM’s assessment will extend to areas like boundary delimitation, voter education, election material distribution, and the handling of electoral disputes.
She reiterated the importance of neutrality, professionalism, and fairness in electoral management.
“Namibia’s peaceful history and its strong democratic ethos must be preserved to maintain its position as a beacon of stability in the region,” she said.
According to Makinda, the mission has deployed 65 observers from eight SADC member states across all 14 regions of Namibia.
“These observers, drawn from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini, will monitor every stage of the electoral process,” she said.
Calling upon Namibians to exercise their democratic right, Makinda urged registered voters to turn out in large numbers.
“Reward your effort in registering to vote by participating in this vital democratic exercise,” she said.
She indicated that the SADC’s preliminary findings on the elections will be shared on 29 November 2024, two days after the polls.
“This report will contribute to strengthening electoral practices not only in Namibia but across the region, reinforcing SADC’s commitment to fostering peace, security, and democratic governance,” she said.
Before the official launch, Makinda and her team also met with key stakeholders in Next week’s elections to gain a deeper understanding of, among other things, the political and security environment relative to the electoral process.
During the meeting with the Namibian Police, Makinda was briefed on the security situation and the preparedness of the Namibian Police before, during and after the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
During the briefing, she was informed that the environment is relatively peaceful and stable and that political campaigns are ongoing in a free and peaceful manner.
