The Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) Hon. Frans Kapofi, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of Namibia released the SEOM’s Preliminary Statement following the observation of the 24 August 2022 General Elections. The statement was delivered in the presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of international agencies, civil society and members of the media at Hotel Epic Sana, in Luanda Angola on 26 August 2022.
The SEOM composed of 52 observers who were deployed to 12 provinces, namely, Luanda, Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Huambo, Huila, Cuanza-Norte, Cuanza-Sul, Namibe, Malanje and Zaireon. The Mission consulted key political stakeholders, including political parties, the National Electoral Commission of Angola (CNE), Government Ministries, the Police, civil society, religious leaders, academia, members of the diplomatic corps, media and international observation missions. In the Preliminary Statement, the Head of Mission observed that the pre-election and voting phases, on the 24 August 2022 General Elections were peaceful, calm and well organised, which enabled voters to express their democratic will and further noted that political parties were able to campaign freely. Hon. Kapofi aslo commended the Angolan people for maintaining a peaceful political environment during the pre-election and on voting day.
The release of the SADC Preliminary Statement was held jointly with the African Union Electoral Observation Mission, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Angola, the Economic Community of Central African States Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Angola, the SADC Parliamentary Forum Electoral Observation Mission the Republic of Angola, the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Angola and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Angola. His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted SEOM to the elections in Angola and will issue a final report after the validation and proclamation of final results, as provided for in the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021). The final report will be shared with the CNE and all stakeholders.
