Zimpapers Logo

The elections held in Botswana on Wednesday last week were conducted in a peaceful and free atmosphere, and the environment enabled voters to express themselves in a transparent manner, SADC has said.

Presenting a preliminary statement on the elections, Head of SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), who is also Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, commended the Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana for the professional manner in which it conducted the elections.

He also praised the people of Botswana for the political maturity they demonstrated during the electoral process.

Dr Moyo was accompanied by his alternate Cde Patrick Chinamasa and the Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Mr Jorge Cardoso, who was representing the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, when he presented the statement.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of Botswana, Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Corps, representatives of United Nations agencies, SADC Ambassadors accredited to Botswana, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, religious organisations and the media.

The release of the SADC preliminary statement was held jointly with the African Union Electoral Observation Mission headed by Mr Jallow Tambajang Fatoumata, former Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia.

Ms Winnie Magagula, Deputy Chairperson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Head of the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum Election Observation Mission also attended.

President Mnangagwa, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted the electoral observer mission, which deployed its observers to 10 districts of the country.

The mission will issue its final report within 30 days of the conclusion of the electoral cycle in accordance with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015). — Herald Reporter/Sadcnews.