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.

METHODOLOGY
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) accredited the Joint Mission via an online portal. The process was simple and efficient, reducing logistical hurdles for the IEC, ESN-SA, and ZESN members. The Joint Mission deployed three (3) teams in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces that met with electoral stakeholders, including the Independent Electoral Commission’s Provincial Representatives, the Police, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Faith-Based Organisations. In its assessment of the elections, the Joint Mission used various international, regional normative and legal instruments for democratic elections as benchmarks: the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring, and Observation (PEMMO) and South Africa’s legal framework.
The Joint Election Observation Mission closely observed special voting on May 27 and 28, 2024, and the National and Provincial Elections (NPEs) on May 29, 2024.

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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.

“Southern Africa has the potential to lead in peaceful, multi-party elections, but corruption, lack of transparency, and misinformation undermine fairness and public confidence in electoral outcomes, which the ESN network is working to address”

During elections, poll observers face increased risks of attack, both physically and online, which is a growing concern for ESN-SA

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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

The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) held its General Meeting on the sidelines of the Africa Election Watch Symposium held in Johannesburg South Africa from the 12^th to the 13^th of April 2023. The ESN-SA General Meeting discussed many pertinent issues on elections and democracy affecting the region and also unanimously agreed to fill in vacant Board positions.

ESN-SA Chairperson, Ms. Emma Kaliya officiated at the meeting and highlighted funding constraints and the impact of COVID-19 on convening regular meetings. She expressed optimism that the General Meeting would come up with strategies and resolutions to further enhance the Network’s ability to champion democracy in the region.

The Host Director for ESN-SA Mrs. Rindai Chipfunde Vava reported that some of the Network members had become defunct, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, and should be replaced to ensure equal representation of domestic observation networks in the SADC region. She also expressed the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)’s willingness to help with the transition of the Network till it can stand on its own.

Pertinent issues regarding funding of the Network, registration of ESN-SA in either any other country given the threat of the Private Voluntary Bill in Zimbabwe; capacity building of Network on election observation tools and challenges faced by the Network.

Ms. Emma Kaliya of the Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN) was unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the ESN-SA, while Rev Derrick Marco of South Africa Christian Council (SACC) Western Cape Chapter as the Vice Chairperson. Mr. Luis Jimbo from Instituto Angolano de Sistemas Eleitoral Democracia – Angola; Ms. Pauline Dempers from the Namibia NGO Forum (NANGOF) Trust and Bishop Andrew Mwenda of the Christian Churches Monitoring Group of Zambia were elected as Board Members.

Ms. Emma Kaliya, Chairperson of the ESN-SA                                                                                                  Rev Derrick Marco, Vice Chairperson of the ESN-SA

The meeting that was attended by 14 member organizations and the host Secretariat resolved that there is need to fundraise to ensure continuity and sustainability of the Network; the need to build capacities of members on observation tools in order harmonize the Network’s election methodology, the need to share election reports and electoral information for dissemination to enhance visibility of the ESN-SA’s initiatives; the need to organize Election Observer Missions and host members if they are in any country for election related assignments.

In closing, ESN-SA Chairperson, Ms. Emma Kaliya implored Members to remain committed and resolute in pursuit of democratic elections in Southern Africa.

The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) is a regional network of sixteen non-governmental organizations working in the area of elections in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and was established in January 1998.

Election observers have raised concerns over their safety and security during the observation of international elections. Africa has a long history of political instability and electoral violence and there are fears that foreign observers could become targets.

As such, election observers play a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections.

Speaking during the ongoing Election Watch Symposium to discuss challenges and recommendations for safer, more transparent, and credible elections in Africa, Election Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) Secretariat Rindai Chipfunde emphasized the need to ensure that observers are adequately protected during elections as they remain vulnerable to attacks and threats.

As such, election observers play a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections.

“This conference is important for improving electoral integrity by bringing together some of Africa’s most experienced electoral integrity experts to address the fundamental challenges around electoral insecurity, disinformation, political finance transparency, inclusivity, and competitiveness of elections – all concerns that the Election Support Network has raised time and again,” Chipfunde said.

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