1. INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the Southern African Development Community(SADC), it is my distinct honour to welcome you all to this important event where I will present the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM)’s Preliminary Statement on the conduct of the 2023 Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The elections were observed in line with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021) and the relevant laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

I was appointed as the Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe by His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. I maintained close collaboration with members of the Organ Troika, currently comprised of the Republics of Zambia and Namibia and the United Republic of Tanzania, regarding the Harmonised Elections in Zimbabwe.

The SEOM also benefitted from the Pre-election Goodwill Assessment Report of, and advice from the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC).