SADC Electoral Observation Mission for Namibia’s 2024 Elections

12 November 2024, Gaborone, Botswana: In line with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will observe Namibia’s upcoming Presidential and National Assembly Elections on November 27, 2024. The SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) will oversee the pre-election phase, polling day, and post-election processes to ensure they align with democratic principles such as transparency, fairness, and credibility. The SEOM team, including observers, arrived in Windhoek on November 11, 2024, and will undergo refresher training before deployment.

The SEOM, led by Head of Mission Honourable Anne Semamba Makinda, former Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, will assess key electoral factors including the political and security environment, the legal framework, and the preparedness of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). The mission also aims to engage with various stakeholders to ensure the elections meet the standards of fairness and electoral justice.

Key activities include:

• November 15–18: Refresher training for election observers
• November 20: Launch of SEOM awareness-raising activities
• November 27: Election Day field observations
• November 29: Release of preliminary statement on the election process

The mission’s goal is to promote regular, free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in Namibia.

For inquiries, contact: Magabolle Mafiri: mmafiri@sadc.int
Barbara Lopi: blopi@sadc.int
Anethe Mtambanengwe: amtambanengwe@sadc.int
For general inquiries: prinfo@sadc.int

About SADC
SADC is a regional organization comprising 16 Member States, working to promote sustainable development, good governance, and peace across Southern Africa. Member states include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Issued by the SADC Secretariat
12th November 2024, Gaborone, Botswana