SADC dispatches Electoral Observation Mission to Madagascar

In line with Article 3 of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), SADC shall observe all general elections held in its Member States. As per the standard practice, the Government of the Republic of Madagascar had on 17^th April 2024 invited the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to observe the country’s Legislative Elections, scheduled for the 29^th of May 2024.

In accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation appoints the Head of Mission (HoM) of the SEOM and mandates the SADC Secretariat, to coordinate the SEOM, including the facilitation of observers’ in-country deployment.

The SEOM is set to be deployed to the majority of Provinces of the Republic of Madagascar to observe the pre-election phase and the polling day. The Mission’s objective is to assess the conduct of the elections in accordance with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).

These principles emphasise, among others, the importance of citizen participation in the democratic and development processes, the implementation of measures to prevent political violence, intimidation, and intolerance, and the promotion of equal opportunities for all political parties to access the State Media and for all citizens to access information.

Furthermore, the Mission emphasises the significance of acceptance and respect for the election results by all political parties.

To uphold electoral integrity, electoral justice, good governance, peace, and stability in the SADC region, and to fulfill the commitment outlined in the SADC Principles and Guidelines, the launch of the SEOM will include various stakeholder engagements. These activities serve to educate and foster a deeper understanding among the electoral stakeholders about the work of the SEOM.

The launch of SEOM in Madagascar is scheduled for 22^nd May 2024 at 1100hrs at the Novotel Hotel in Antananarivo and is open to the public and the media.

The key activities for the SEOM Madagascar programme schedule comprises the following;