Media Statement
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) – Mozambique, October 2014
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Republic of Mozambique for the 2014 general elections was launched on Friday, 03 October 2014 at the VIP Hotel.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, led the mission in her capacity as a representative of President Jacob Zuma, the current chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation.
This follows an invitation by the Government of the Republic of Mozambique to constitute and deploy the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission to the General Elections.
The invitation to observe elections in the Republic of Mozambique is a clear testimony to the commitment of the people of Mozambique to consolidate democracy in their country and the region as a whole.
This is in line with the SADC Treaty which commits Member States to promote shared values.
The SADC principles further state that in the event a member state invites SADC to observe elections, it should be based on the provisions of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, as well as the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections as well as the Mozambican Electoral Laws and the National Constitution.
The SADC Electoral Observation Missions are undertaken in three phases, the pre-election period, election-day and post-election phases.
The presence of SEOM in the Republic of Mozambique is to assess whether the provisions of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections are adhered to and whether the electoral laws of the Republic of Mozambique are complied with.
As of today, 09 October 2014, One Hundred and Forty Two (142) SADC Observers in thirty three teams from the following Member States constitute the mission:
Angola; Botswana; Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Observers have been deployed in all the Provinces of the Republic of Mozambique.
The SEOM is grateful to the Mozambican National Elections Commission (CNE) for their support and prompt facilitation of the accreditation of the mission in time for the observation of the electoral process. The SEOM has been assured by the CNE and the STAE that all aspects related to the election are in place for holding elections in terms of the laws of the Republic of Mozambique.
SADC is mindful of the fact that the responsibility to hold peaceful, free and fair elections in the Republic of Mozambique lies with the people of Mozambique.
SADC would like to take this opportunity to encourage the people of the Republic of Mozambique to continue to demonstrate political maturity by respecting democratic principles and practices during this electoral process.
On behalf SADC Electoral Observation Mission we wish the people of Mozambique peaceful elections.
09 October 2014
Maputo
Enquiries: Paulo Lukala on 8 2605 2983
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