ARRIVAL STATEMENT
19th NOVEMBER, 2024
WINDHOEK

Following an invitation by the Electoral Commission of Namibia in the Republic of Namibia, the Electoral Commissions Forum, deployed an Observation Mission to Namibia to observe the Presidential & National Assembly Elections scheduled for 27th November 2024. The ECF-SADC election observer mission is led by Hon. Justice Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The Mission comprises thirty-seven (37) short-term observers drawn from 9 Election Management Bodies of the SADC region namely electoral commissions of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe. The Mission also comprises 2 commissioners from Libera and Siera Leone representing the West Africa Forum of EMBs (ECONEC) for peer support and learning exchanges. The Mission arrived on 19th November 2024 and will remain in the country until 30th November 2024. The Mission base is Mercure Hotel.

The Terms of Reference of the ECF-SADC election observer mission include assessment of the preparedness of the Electoral Commission of Namibia to conduct elections; observe the pre-election environment; observe the conduct of the election itself; and evaluate the electoral process and make recommendations that will contribute to the improvement of electoral management in Namibia. The assessment and observations of the Mission are guided by the values of impartiality, neutrality, transparency, and objectivity as well as Regional and International benchmarks and the legal framework for elections in Namibia.

The ECF-SADC election observer mission will issue a statement of its preliminary assessment of the elections on a date to be confirmed and will release a final comprehensive report within one to two months after the end of the process.

Further enquiries about the Electoral Commissions Forum can be made to the Mission Communications and Media contact Ms Lone Phineas email: lphineas@ecfsadc.org and mobile +264 817159969