By Kelvin Wilson Kasiwulaya
In a joint statement released by the Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the 2024 South African National and Provincial Elections were commended for their smooth conduct and transparency.
The ten-member observer mission, deployed to observe the elections, highlighted various aspects of the electoral process that contributed to its success.
The Joint Mission observed the special voting process on May 27 and 28, 2024, followed by the National and Provincial Elections (NPEs) on May 29, 2024.
“The South African elections were conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, showcasing the commitment of the electoral authorities and stakeholders to uphold democratic principles,” said the Joint Mission in their statement.
Accredited by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Joint Mission deployed three teams to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces to evaluate adherence to national laws and international standards. The observers engaged with various stakeholders and monitored the voting process in the three provinces.
One of the key observations made by the Joint Mission was the high voter participation, particularly among young people, stating, “High voter participation was observed in most voting centers visited. Youth participation, in particular, was noted to be significant, with young electoral officials demonstrating professionalism in managing the voting process.”
The observer mission noted the well-trained party agents at voting stations, enhancing oversight and transparency. The efficient voting procedures, inclusive voting stations, and advanced results management center were also commended.
However, the Joint Mission identified areas for improvement, including ensuring an adequate number of Voter Management Devices (VMDs) and backup internet connections at all voting stations, improving lighting conditions, and enhancing voter education efforts.
“Voting procedures were observed to be efficient, with an average processing time of three minutes per voter. However, some voting stations experienced technical issues with VMDs, intermittent internet connections, and poor lighting conditions…
The Joint Mission recommended ensuring an adequate number of VMDs and backup internet connections at all voting stations, improving lighting conditions, and strengthening voter education efforts about changes in electoral laws,” the Joint Mission recommended.
Overall, the Joint Mission expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the South African elections and presented several recommendations to further strengthen the electoral process. They called for the implementation of verification and independent audit mechanisms, the creation of a regulatory framework for data protection and cybersecurity, and reconsideration of regulations related to political party canvassing near voting stations.
Despite some challenges, the Joint Mission concluded that the South African elections were successful and expressed hope for a peaceful post-election period in the country. The commitment to democratic principles and the active participation of stakeholders were highlighted as key factors in the elections’ success.
“The commitment to proper management, adherence to polling procedures, and the active participation of various stakeholders contributed to the success of the elections. The mission expressed hope for a peaceful post-election period in South Africa, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the electorate.”