DAR/GABORONE-Fellow Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),The Republic of Botswana will be going to the polls tomorrow, 30th October 2024, todecide on the Leadership of the Republic's 13th Parliament and Local Councils, inline with the country's Constitution.
SADC has deployed its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Republic ofBotswana to observe the country's pre-election phase, polling day and the post-election processes, to determine the country's adherence to the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
These Principlesand Guidelines promote regular, free and fair, transparent, credible and peacefuldemocratic elections as key markers of democracy and good governance and toinstitutionalise legitimate authority of representative governments in the SouthernAfrican region.
As the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, I ampleased to announce that SADC has successfully deployed its Observation Mission(SEOM) countrywide for the period between 14th October and 6th November 2024,inaccordance with the stipulated Principles and Guidelines.
Article 8.3 of therespective Principles and Guidelines mandates SEOM to determine adherence ofthe Member State holding elections to its relevant provisions.
In that regard, I urge all eligible voters in the Republic of Botswana to exercise theirconstitutional rights by turning out to vote peacefully on election day.
I also call uponall political actors and their supporters to act responsibly and peacefully during andafter the election day.
On behalf of all SADC Member States and indeed my own behalf,I solemly wish thepeople of Botswana successful and peaceful elections.
