SADC Observers Laud Peaceful South Africa Vote, Note Areas to Improve
The mission will issue a final report within 30 days, after continuing to observe the post-election phase until June 5.
JOHANNESBURG— South Africa's national and provincial elections on May 29 were conducted in a generally peaceful, professional and orderly manner that enabled voters to express their democratic will, according to preliminary findings by Southern African Development Community (SADC) observers released Friday, writes Winston Mwale.
"The Mission observed that the pre-election and voting phases of the 2024 National and Provincial Assembly Elections were professionally organised, and conducted in an orderly, peaceful and free atmosphere, which enabled the voters to express their democratic will and those who sought office to campaign freely," said Enock Kavindele, former vice president of Zambia and head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission.
However, the 84-member mission from 11 SADC countries noted some areas for improvement, including the timing of legal reforms, management of the voting process, gender representation and combating misinformation.
Kavindele commended South Africa for introducing special voting, including home visits, to increase accessibility for voters unable to get to polling stations. But he said procedures were needed to guarantee secrecy of the ballot, such as discreet labeling of special vote envelopes.
The mission urged South Africa to ensure substantive electoral reforms are adopted early in the next cycle to avoid last-minute legal changes that caused confusion, such as around political funding disclosure rules.
It recommended the Independent Electoral Commission enhance training of polling staff, particularly on special voting procedures.
The government should consider banning temporary party structures near voting stations, and the police service should deploy more officers at polls, the statement said.
Political parties not applying voluntary 50-50 gender quotas for candidate lists were urged to do so.
The observers commended the electoral commission's online voter registration, responsiveness to misinformation, openness and liaison with parties and candidates.
They also praised the role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes.
The mission will issue a final report within 30 days, after continuing to observe the post-election phase until June 5.
It appealed to any aggrieved parties to pursue grievances through legal channels.