23 Apr 2024

The SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) is in the country for a pre-elections assessment and goodwill mission. 

The team will be in the country until April 30 and it is expected to meet various key electoral stakeholders such as academia, political parties, non-governmental organizations, security organs and youth organisations. 

During a courtesy call to welcome the team in Gaborone on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape said they were free to visit every corner of the country and engage with everyone they needed to get general feeling on Batswana about elections. 

“Our doors are open and we will submit ourselves to whatever activity you are engaged in. This is an open country, so engage as freely and widely as you need. Our Independent Electoral Commission is independent and has its own statutes that it adheres to which nobody else but the Secretary has the powers on,” he said. 

Dr Kwape also said Botswana pride itself on being one of the longest democracies in the continent. 

The minister said all institutions were open for their scrutiny, and that government was more than happy and willing to share with them any information they might need. 

The SEAC head of delegation, Justice Ticheme Dlamini said the courtesy call was to formally announce the team’s presence in the country. 

“We are here in accordance with the electoral cycle of the Republic of Botswana which is expected to hold its general elections in October this year. Our visit is also in line with the standard practice of SADC of observing elections in member states, which requires that SEAC conducts a goodwill missions and pre-assessment on member states holding elections,” he said. 

Mr Dlamini also said the team would assess if political and security environment in the country was conducive for holding elections freely, fairly, transparently and peacefully. 

He said it was also vital that elections had to be in accordance with SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections.

“I do believe that you are aware that member states signed up to this SADC document and undertook to implement all its provisions. Another objective for this mission is to look at the legal framework which governs elections, and it is a fact that for every election there has to be a law which governs the whole process,” he said.

 Mr Dlamini also said while in Botswana, SEAC would assess the level of preparedness of IEC to conduct the coming elections. He said they would engage and discuss with all relevant stakeholders. 

“These are the discussion that will inform us of their views and guide us concerning the entire electoral process. The views will also help us to prepare a better and informed report to the chairperson of the organ that is responsible for elections,” he said. 

The team is expected to draft and finalise its report on April 29 before jetting out the following day. 

Mr Dlamini, therefore, advised government on the importance of sharing the report with all stakeholders involved in the electoral process as this would enhance democracy and good governance in the region. Ends