SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the 2023 General Elections in the Kingdom of Eswatini

19 September 2023, Gaborone, Botswana: In accordance with the five-year electoral cycle of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Government of Eswatini has invited the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to observe the Kingdom's General Elections which are scheduled for 29th September 2023. In accordance with the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), and in response to the invitation from the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation deployed a SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM). H.E Hichilema further mandated H.E. Mr. Elias Magosi, the SADC Executive Secretary to coordinate the SEOM and facilitate in-country deployment of observers.

The SEOM will be deployed to all four (4) Regions of the Kingdom of Eswatini to observe the pre-election, and post-election phases. The Mission will assess the conduct of the elections against a set of principles stipulated in the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections of (2021) which include, amongst others, full participation of the citizens in the democratic and development processes, measures to prevent political violence, intimidation and intolerance, equal opportunity for all political parties to access the State Media as well as access to information by all citizens, and acceptance of and respect for the election results by all candidates.

To promote electoral integrity, electoral justice, good governance, peace and stability in the SADC region, and to give effect to the commitment contained in the SADC Principles and Guidelines, the launch of the SEOM on 22 September 2023 will include various election awareness activities for the electoral stakeholder to learn and appreciate the work of the SEOM. 

The key activities for the SEOM schedule are as follows;