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.

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29 July 2018 – Harare –The Election Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-Southern Africa) Observer Mission calls upon the people of Zimbabwe to remain calm and peaceful as they go to the polls on 30 July, 2018.

The Mission observed the last stages of the pre-election environment and noted that there is an improvement in the general political election environment as compared to previous electoral cycles. Our hope is that political parties and the electorate will maintain this calm during voting and after results are announced.,” said Dr Tomaz Salamao,Head of the SADC eminent Persons Observer Mission.

The Mission will issue a preliminary statement after the close of polls.

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