Moroke Sekoboto
THE government has stepped up efforts to modernise and sharpen the effectiveness of regional electoral monitoring as it hosts a week-long training for SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) at Avani Maseru.
The programme, which brings together election practitioners from across the region, is aimed at strengthening democratic processes by equipping participants with advanced skills in observing elections set to take place across the bloc, including in Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and other member states.
With a strong focus on the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021) and the growing shift towards ICT-based observation tools, the training signals a move towards more efficient, data-driven and credible election monitoring designed to uphold peace, transparency and trust in electoral outcomes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Acting Permanent Secretary, Limpho Masilo-Motsamai, said SEOMs played a pivotal role in SADC Member States by assessing electoral processes to ensure they align with democratic principles, while also promoting peace, stability, and safeguarding the integrity of elections.
Ms Masilo-Motsamai said elections were a cornerstone of any democratic dispensation as they guarantee that the will of the people is translated into political power. She added that credible elections are essential for ensuring democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.
“This training is of great importance to both Lesotho and the SADC region. By capacitating Member States in electoral observation, SADC effectively expands its pool of competent election observers who stand ready for deployment whenever the need arises in different Member States,” Ms Masilo-Motsamai said.
She further noted that while in the past the post-election period in some countries had been characterised by conflict and election-related violence, Lesotho had in recent years experienced a peaceful post-election environment marked, among other things, by the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another.
“The Election Observation Missions have also produced relatively positive assessments of elections in Lesotho. These factors point to a positive role that Lesotho can play in electoral observation in other countries in the region. The experiences of Lesotho in elections may become important lessons that other states in the region may emulate if they are to succeed in holding democratic, free and fair elections.
“By investing in capacity building of Member States, SADC will undoubtedly go a long way in promoting and fully entrenching the principles and guidelines for conducting democratic elections in the region. The transition to ICT-based electoral observation adequately speaks to the needs and conditions of the present times while also contributing to effectiveness and efficiency in election observation exercises,” she said.
Representing the SADC Secretariat, Magabolle Mafiri said the training targeted individuals who will form part of the pool of SADC election observers to be deployed to Member States due to hold elections.
Mr Mafiri said the programme was intended to equip trainees with the knowledge and skills required for SADC election observation missions.
“Over the years we have supported other SADC Member States by seconding election observers to SEOMs. We need to continue building capacity that is ready for deployment in this regard. Furthermore, like any other SADC Member State, we may find ourselves in the role of chairing the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
“In 2026, the general election of the Republic of Zambia is scheduled for 13 August. In 2027, the general election of the Republic of Angola is scheduled for August. In 2028, National Assembly elections of the Kingdom of Lesotho are scheduled for January/February, followed by Zimbabwe in August, Eswatini in September, Madagascar in November, and the DRC in December — the list goes on,” Mr Mafiri said.
For her part, SADC Election Advisory Committee (SEAC) representative, Limakatso Mokhothu, said the training was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to observe general elections across SADC Member States.
Ms Mokhothu said that as part of regional efforts to consolidate democracy and good governance, participants would be deployed to Member States to observe how registered voters exercise their democratic rights to choose their leaders.
“You will receive intensive training on the policy aspects behind SEOMs and the role of election observers from trainers from the SADC Secretariat, SEAC, and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA),” she said.
She added that SADC developed the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), and Member States agreed to apply them to all elections held within the bloc. She said it was important for participants to understand these principles in order to assess levels of compliance across Member States.
“In terms of Article 14.3 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines, observers should, among other requirements, have knowledge of the guidelines; undergo intensive election training organised by the SADC Secretariat; possess basic knowledge of the history of the SADC region; understand electoral systems and processes within the region; and be prepared to abide by the Code of Conduct for SEOMs as stipulated in Article 10 of the guidelines,” she said.
