In order to come up with a well-informed report, SEOM undertakes extensive consultations with a broad range of political and electoral stakeholders with the aim of getting a deeper understanding of the political and security situation in the electoral process. Some of the key stakeholders include Government Leadership, Leaders and Representatives of Political Parties, Contesting Candidates, SADC Ambassadors Accredited to the Country Holding the Elections, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations, the state security agencies, Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organizations, Academia, Traditional Leaders, Local and International Electoral observation Missions, Religious Groups and Faith Based Organizations, the Media etc.
As a standard practice and in line with the principle of subsidiarity, SADC hosts a meeting of all Heads of International Observation Missions, on the eve of the polling day. The African Union hosts a similar meeting one day after polling day. The objective of the meetings is to share notes and experiences so as to have a common understanding of the electoral matters before the observer missions present their statements, but also to invite them to join and share a platform with SEOM during the Release of the SEOM Preliminary Statement.
