ZESN joins other observer missions in South Africa...

ZESN joins other observer missions in South Africa elections

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwean elections observer body, Zimbabwe Election Support Network, has confirmed the arrival of its 10-member mission ahead of the 2024 provincial and national elections in South Africa.

The team is set to take part in assessing the credibility, transparency and fairness as well as taking notes for improvement of electoral processes in the region.

The announcement came in a joint statement by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the Election Support Network of Southern Africa, saying the mission set to be dispersed to various provinces in South Africa that include Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape, to access election conduct and management in accordance to regional standards.

ESN-SA and ZESN said that their observer team comprised experienced election practitioners, who are mandated to asses if elections will be held according to laws of the country as well as those of the region.

The bodies added that they will, at the end of the election, provide an impartial report and also take notes from South Africa to improve conduct and standard of election processes in Southern Africa.

“The Election Support Network of Southern Africa and Zimbabwe Election Support Network are pleased to announce arrival in South Africa to observe the 2024 national and provincial elections as part of efforts to reinforce transparency, credibility and fairness, contributing to the overall integrity of the 2024 South African elections.

“The ten-member mission comprising experienced election practitioners will be deployed to Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape provinces to assess whether the electoral process was conducted in accordance with laws of the country as well as to assess whether the country’s electoral framework conforms to regional and international principles, norms, standards and best practices.

“The joint ESN-SA and ZESN Observer Mission will provide an impartial and accurate appraisal of the electoral environment, draw lessons that inform its advocacy interventions in the region and proffer recommendations for improving electoral processes,” ESN-SA and ZESN said in a statement.

South Africans are set to vote in national elections today, May 29 in hotly-contested polls that have been marred by electoral controversies involving court cases between participating parties and the election body, the Independent Electoral Commission.