Regional booklet on elections launched

WINDHOEK – Namibia’s electoral body launched a booklet, ‘Principles For Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC Region’ (PEMMO), last week.

The booklet, a product of the Electoral Commissions’ Forum of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA), sets out major principles, recommendations and requirements for running a free and fair, credible and legitimate election. It also details a uniform electoral standard for elections taking place in the 13 SADC member states.Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Willem Konjore, said the key aim of PEMMO was to improve electoral practices in the region, whether in election administration or election observation.”It is our desire that as election managers, observers and monitors, our conduct should be PEMMO-compliant.These principles are by the region for the region, and represent our own aspirations for democracy, peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.The PEMMO booklet outlines the foundation of elections, the electoral system, and the whole institutional framework as well as the composition and nature of the bodies involved in conducting the election.It also covers issues such as the arrangement of polling stations, secrecy of the ballot, ballot papers, and election materials and counting.Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) officials and representatives of the various political parties set to take part in Namibia’s general elections were present at the launch.Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held in Namibia on November 15 and 16; Regional Councils elections take place on November 29 and 30.- NampaIt also details a uniform electoral standard for elections taking place in the 13 SADC member states.Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Willem Konjore, said the key aim of PEMMO was to improve electoral practices in the region, whether in election administration or election observation.”It is our desire that as election managers, observers and monitors, our conduct should be PEMMO-compliant.These principles are by the region for the region, and represent our own aspirations for democracy, peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.The PEMMO booklet outlines the foundation of elections, the electoral system, and the whole institutional framework as well as the composition and nature of the bodies involved in conducting the election.It also covers issues such as the arrangement of polling stations, secrecy of the ballot, ballot papers, and election materials and counting.Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) officials and representatives of the various political parties set to take part in Namibia’s general elections were present at the launch.Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held in Namibia on November 15 and 16; Regional Councils elections take place on November 29 and 30.- Nampa