SADC Electoral Observation Mission Releases Preliminary Report on Botswana’s 2024 General Elections
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Botswana’s General Elections has issued its preliminary statement on the electoral process, following the country’s General Elections on October 30, 2024. His Excellency Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and Head of the SEOM, presented the findings.
The SEOM’s team comprised 72 observers from 10 SADC member states, with 55 deployed across nine administrative districts: Central, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North-East, Southern, and South-East. On election day, the Mission monitored activities at 288 polling stations and also observed the second round of advance voting held on October 26, 2024.
The Mission evaluated Botswana’s electoral conduct using the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), as well as national legislative frameworks like Botswana’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Local Government Act.
These guidelines outline standards and best practices for democratic elections, informed by continental and international charters, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, and relevant United Nations conventions.
This preliminary report covers the SEOM’s assessment of the pre-election period, voting, and ballot counting. The final report, expected at a later date, will include post-election observations on result management and announcement processes.
The SEOM was joined by other international election observation missions, such as the African Union Election Observation Mission, led by former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries Observation Mission, chaired by Justice Jacob Mwambegele of Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission. SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, was also in attendance.
Botswana’s General Elections have been observed closely to promote transparent democratic processes and maintain the integrity of elections within the region.
