By Innocent Manda
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), has deployed its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Malawi ahead of the country’s 2025 General Election, with Themba Masuku, former Deputy Prime Minister of Eswatini, as Head of Mission.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, SADC said the mission will cover all 28 districts, observing pre-election activities, polling day, and post-election processes to ensure that the elections are conducted freely, fairly, transparently, and peacefully.
“Malawi’s invitation reflects its commitment to transparency and credibility in the electoral process,” the statement quotes King Mswati III, incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in presser.
According to the statement, the SADC Secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi, will coordinate logistics and deployment, including consultations with the Malawi Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society, women and youth organizations, and diplomatic representatives across the country.
“The SEOM, together with the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, will monitor the pre-election environment, polling day on September 16, and post-election processes to promote free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections throughout Malawi,” the statement said.
It added that the key activities that the observers will conduct during the mission include the official SEOM launch on September 4, open to the public and media, followed by the arrival of observers, Troika, and SEAC on September 10, and the release of a preliminary statement on September 18.
The mission will conclude its operations and close headquarters on October 2, according to the statement, which has also encouraged the public to follow SEOM updates through its official website, social media platforms, and press releases in English and Portuguese.
