Niël Terblanché
Anne Semamba Malinda, the former Speaker of Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, has arrived in Namibia to lead the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM)
Scheduled for 27 November, the voting day will have the attention of observers from across the region when Namibians will be casting their votes in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Malinda’s appointment as Head of Mission (HoM) was made by Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation.
According to the SADC secretariat, the appointment aligns with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), which dictate the framework for observing elections in member states.
The guidelines empower the chairperson of the SADC Organ to designate the head of each SEOM mission, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to democratic processes.
To ensure seamless coordination, the SADC Secretariat, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi, has been tasked with organising the mission’s activities, including the deployment of observers across Namibia.
According to the secretariat, these preparations adhere to Article 3 of the revised SADC electoral principles, which underline the organisation’s mandate to oversee general elections within its member countries.
The official launch of the SEOM in Namibia will take place on 20 November in Windhoek.
The secretariat said the launch is part of the mission’s efforts to raise public awareness and strengthen trust in the electoral process.
During their tenure, Malinda and her team will engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, youth and women’s groups, security agencies, and other key players in Namibia’s democratic landscape.
A courtesy visit to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is also planned, which is a demonstration of the mission’s emphasis on collaboration and dialogue.
On election day, the SEOM will monitor voting activities across the country to assess compliance with democratic principles.
These observations will play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to the electoral laws of Namibia.
The secretariat said that the presence of SADC’s observer mission is a demonstration of the region’s dedication to nurturing democratic governance and political stability.
According to the secretariat, the insights and recommendations provided by SEOM will be vital for regional and international perceptions of Namibia’s democratic progress.
