ANTANANARIVO – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), led by H.E. Brig. General Godfrey Miyanda, held a crucial stakeholder engagement meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Republic of Madagascar.
This meeting, conducted on November 11, 2023, is part of SEOM’s standard practice to interact with key stakeholders in Member States conducting elections.
The primary objective of this meeting was to assess the readiness of the Republic of Madagascar for the upcoming elections scheduled for November 16, 2023.
H.E. Brig. General Miyanda emphasized that the gathering was integral to compiling SEOM’s report for His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Co-operation.
President of the CENI, Mr. Dama Andrianarisedo Retaf Arsène, conveyed his gratitude for SADC’s active participation in observing the elections in Madagascar.
He assured SEOM that the CENI was diligently working to ensure the timely preparation and dispatch of all necessary election materials.
SADC addresses fundamental electoral issues
The consultative process addressed a spectrum of critical matters, including voter registration, civic and voter education, the printing of the voters’ roll, auditing and inspection procedures of electoral processes.
Additionally issues of gender and youth representation, results counting and processing, constituency delimitation, political party campaigns, and the electoral calendar were discussed.
H.E. Brig. General Miyanda stressed the importance of comprehensive discussions on the topics of electoral process in the region.
“Our engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission is not only a testament to the commitment of SADC to ensuring free and fair elections but also an opportunity to address critical aspects that contribute to the democratic process.”
This interaction signifies the collaborative efforts of SADC and the Republic of Madagascar to enhance transparency, credibility, and inclusivity in the electoral process.
The outcomes of these engagements will contribute significantly to SEOM’s comprehensive report, reinforcing SADC’s dedication to supporting democratic practices across the region.
