SADC releases the preliminary observation mission statement on the National Assembly Elections to the Kingdom of Lesotho held on 7th October 2022

On 9th October 2022, the Head of the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the National Assembly in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Honourable Frans Kapofi, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Namibia; and Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission, presented the SEOM's Preliminary Statement following the 7 October 2022 National Assembly Elections.

The Head of SEOM was accompanied by his alternate, His Excellency Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete, Namibia High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the SADC Executive Secretary His Excellency, Mr. Elias Magosi.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Kingdom of Lesotho, Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Corps, SADC Ambassadors accredited to Lesotho, representatives of political parties, Civil Society Organisations, religious organisations and the media fraternity.

In the Preliminary Statement, the Head of Mission highlighted that the National Assembly Elections were conducted in a peaceful environment, allowing for orderly voting without any major incidents reported in the areas of observation. In order to strengthen democracy, peace, security, stability, and good governance in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Mission urged the Government of Lesotho to prioritize the review of reforms. In addition, the SEOM ccommended the citizens of the Kingdom of Lesotho for holding peaceful elections.

The presentation of the SADC Preliminary Statement was conducted in collaboration with the African Union Electoral Observation Mission (AUEOM), led by Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe, former Vice President of Uganda, and the Commonwealth Electoral Observation Mission, His Excellency Danny Faure, Former President of Seychelles, and Head of the Commonwealth Electoral Observation Mission; and Mr Denis Kadima, Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of the Electoral Commissions Forum of Southern Africa (ECF) Observation Mission

His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, and the current Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted the SEOM to the elections in the Kingdom of Lesotho which deployed its observers to one hundred and seventy-one (171) voting stations in the 10 Districts of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The SEOM will issue its Final Report within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the electoral cycle in accordance with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015).