PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE ESN-SA and the ZESN JOINT ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FOR 2024 SOUTH AFRICA ELECTIONS

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE ESN-SA and the ZESN JOINT ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FOR 2024 SOUTH AFRICA ELECTIONS

INTRODUCTION
The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) jointly deployed a ten-member observer mission with experienced observation practitioners to observe polling processes in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces during the National and Provincial elections. The primary objective of the Joint Observer Mission was to evaluate whether the South African electoral process adhered to national laws and to determine if the country’s electoral framework aligns with regional and international principles, norms, standards, and best practices. This initiative underscores the Network’s dedication to advancing democratic integrity and transparent electoral processes throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

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Mozambique Elections Key Highlights and Recommendations

Mozambique Elections Key Highlights and Recommendations

Introduction
Independent election observation plays a vital role in safeguarding democracy. It enhances transparency, builds trust, and promotes accountability, all of which are essential for maintaining the integrity of electoral process and the health of democratic institutions. The insights gained from election observers inform future electoral processes, thereby strengthening democratic norms of a country.

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STATEMENT ON THE KILLINGS IN MOZAMBIQUE -POST 2024 PRESIDENTIAL & LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

STATEMENT ON THE KILLINGS IN MOZAMBIQUE -POST 2024 PRESIDENTIAL & LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

21-OCTOBER-2024 – The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESNSA)
expresses profound concern regarding the brutal killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo
Guambe, as well as the violent clashes following the 2024 Presidential and Legislative
Elections. These tragic incidents underscore the persistent election-related conflict and
violence in Mozambique and call for the urgent need for peace, justice, and accountability
in the region. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and those affected by the
conflict.

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ESN-SA -ZESN JOINT PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

ESN-SA -ZESN JOINT PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

INTRODUCTION
The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) jointly deployed a ten-member observer mission with experienced observation practitioners to observe polling processes in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces during the National and Provincial elections. The primary objective of the Joint Observer Mission was to evaluate whether the South African electoral process adhered to national laws and to determine if the country’s electoral framework aligns with regional and international principles, norms, standards, and best practices. This initiative underscores the Network’s dedication to advancing democratic integrity and transparent electoral processes throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

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ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ELECTION OBSERVATION ACADEMY

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ELECTION OBSERVATION ACADEMY

The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) hosted a three (3) day Election Observation Academy at the Capitol Hotel in Johannesburg from 10 to 12 of April 2024. The academy sought enhance the capacity of ESN- SA members to engage in interventions related to Election Observation, including campaign finance, media and social media monitoring as well as to promote cross and peer learning across domestic observer networks in Southern Africa. In attendance at the academy were 26 representatives from ESN-SA member organisations from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Nairobi to Host Pioneering Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Elections in Africa

Nairobi to Host Pioneering Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Elections in Africa

Nairobi, Kenya – March 1, 2024 – In a landmark initiative poised to shape the future of African elections, Yiaga Africa, African Election Observers Network (AfEONet), West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON), Election Observation Group (ELOG), and the Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA), are proud to announce the Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Elections in Africa supported by the Luminate Group. This critical conference is scheduled for 16 – 17 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, setting the stage for a robust discussion on the opportunities and risks of AI integration in African elections.

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African Poll Observers Converge on Joburg

As 10 African countries prepare to elect new presidents in 2023, election observers from over 20 African nations converged in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

ESN-SA Alongside the Election Support Network of Southern Africa (), the International Republican Institute (IRI) organized the second Africa Election Watch Symposium to discuss challenges and recommendations for safer, more transparent, and credible elections in Africa.

“Holding routine elections is now the norm across most of sub-Saharan Africa, but concerns remain over campaign corruption and violence,” said IRI Senior Advisor for Election, Jessica Keegan.

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Press Statement For Immediate Release

Pretoria – Wednesday 19th April 2023

Zambia National Women’s Lobby Senior Programme Officer Evans Kunda has described the just-ended Africa Elections Watch 2023 Conference organized by the Elections Support Network – Southern Africa (ESN-SA) with support from the International Republican Institute (IRI) as insightful.

Mr. Kunda says Zambia’s presence at the conference was important because it provided a learning and information-sharing platform for people from other countries and backgrounds where various issues relating to election monitoring were discussed.

He says one of the topics covered was on best practices during an election at which electoral experts from the SADC region described Zambia as the best example because of how it has been managing elections effectively and efficiently, with the 2021 polls being one of the highlights.

“It was elating to be acknowledged as a country that we have remained a beacon of peace and a shining example of where our democracy is really maturing with reference to how elections are held and this should continue,” Mr Kunda said.

He said managing elections effectively was one of the major achievements towards shaping society and contributing towards national development and that networking and building relationships with different stakeholders is important.

Meanwhile, Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) Program Manager Peter Mwanang’ombe says improving electoral integrity by bringing together some of Africa’s most experienced electoral integrity experts to address the fundamentals of electoral insecurity was the hallmark of the Election Watch Symposium 2023 Conference.

Mr. Mwanang’ombe says it was a great experience for Zambia to be part of the high-level meeting which brought together different stakeholders to discuss challenges and recommendations for safer, more transparent, and credible elections in Africa.

The Election Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) is a regional network of 15 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the area of elections in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, established in January 1998.

The conference was held in Johannesburg, South Africa and attracted 20 African countries with different stakeholders.

Issued by Tamara Nyirenda
First Secretary Press and Public Relations.
Zambia High Commission.
South Africa
press@zambiapretoria.net