By Kelvin Wilson Kasiwulaya
The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) have joined forces to observe the 2024 national and provincial elections in South Africa.
The ten-member mission, comprised of experienced election practitioners, has been deployed to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape Provinces to ensure transparency, credibility, and fairness in the electoral process.
The joint ESN-SA and ZESN Observer Mission aims to assess whether the electoral process in South Africa aligns with the country’s laws, as well as regional and international standards. By providing an impartial and accurate appraisal of the electoral environment, the mission will draw valuable lessons to inform advocacy interventions and recommendations for improving electoral processes.
This partnership highlights the Networks’ commitment to promoting democratic integrity and transparent electoral processes across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It also serves as a learning opportunity to enhance electoral integrity throughout the region.
ESN-SA, established in 1998, is a regional network of 15 non-governmental organizations dedicated to elections in the SADC region.
Meanwhile, ZESN, formed in 2000, is a coalition of 37 NGOs focusing on coordinating election-related activities and promoting democratic processes in Zimbabwe
The presence of ESN-SA and ZESN in South Africa signifies a commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring free and fair elections in the region. The mission will play a crucial role in reinforcing transparency and credibility in the 2024 South African elections.