The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed 80 electoral observers across all 28 districts of Malawi ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for 16 September.
The head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), former Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku, has called on all stakeholders to uphold peace, transparency and credibility throughout the electoral process.
Speaking at the official launch of the SEOM in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Masuku urged voters, political parties, civil society and institutions to ensure the elections reflect the democratic values enshrined in the SADC Treaty and the revised Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
“Our mission consists of 80 personnel. They are from nine SADC Member States,” Masuku said.
Countries represented in the SEOM are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Masuku said the SADC observers will focus on the pre-election, election and post-election periods, “which include the campaign rallies and events, the voting day activities at polling stations, and the results management process.”
“SADC urges all registered voters to exercise their civic and political rights by going out to vote on 16th September 2025. We encourage all stakeholders to ensure that these elections are conducted in a peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible manner.”
Malawi’s 2025 general elections will see 17 presidential candidates and 1,489 parliamentary contenders – including over 600 independents – competing for public office.
The polls are expected to be closely watched, with stakeholders emphasising the importance of peaceful participation and credible outcomes.
Masuku, appointed by King Mswati III of Eswatini in his capacity as Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, said the mission would engage a broad range of stakeholders to ensure impartial and informed reporting.
JN/APA