SADC Deploys Electoral Observation Mission to Malawi’s 2025 General Election
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to monitor Malawi’s General Election, scheduled for 16 September 2025. The mission is being led by the Right Honourable Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The deployment follows Article 3 of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), which require the regional bloc to observe all general elections held in its member states. The Government of Malawi formally invited SADC to observe the polls on 9 December 2024.
Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini, mandated the mission and appointed Honourable Masuku as Head of Mission. The SADC Secretariat, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi, is coordinating the deployment.
A Secretariat support team arrived in Lilongwe on 1 September to finalise logistics. Observers will be stationed across all 28 districts to assess the pre-election environment, polling day, and post-election processes, ensuring alignment with SADC’s principles of free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections.
Key stakeholders to be consulted include the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), political parties, government departments, civil society, women’s and youth organisations, and the diplomatic community. The mission aims to evaluate Malawi’s electoral preparedness, the legal and constitutional framework, as well as the overall political and security context.
Key Dates for SEOM Activities in Malawi:
- 1 September 2025: Arrival of the SADC Secretariat Support Team in Lilongwe
- 4 September 2025: Arrival of Observers, Troika and SEAC
- 10 September 2025: Official launch of SEOM (Open to the Public and Media)
- 16 September 2025: Election Day (Field Observations)
- 18 September 2025: Release of SEOM Preliminary Statement (Open to the Public and Media)
- 2 October 2025: Closure of SEOM Headquarters
