Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who currently chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC) security organ, has appointed former Prime Minister Mizengo Kayanza to lead the regional body’s observer mission for Botswana’s upcoming general elections.
The elections, set for October 30, will determine the composition of the 13th Parliament and local councils across the nation.
Kayanza is expected to leader the SADC electoral observation mission (SEOM) to monitor the electoral process, which includes contests for 61 National Assembly seats and 609 local council positions, all of which will be decided using a first-past-the-post voting system.
The SADC Secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, will coordinate the mission and oversee the deployment of observers throughout Botswana.
The SADC Secretariat said in a statement on Thursday that the SEOM will be active in all districts, cities and towns, assessing the electoral process during the pre-election phase, polling day and post-election activities.
The mission aims to ensure that the elections adhere to the revised SADC principles, which promote citizen participation, prevent political violence, and ensure equal access to media for all political parties.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi is seeking a second and final five-year term of office.
His Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since the country’s independence in 1966.
JN/APA