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Key Text Norms and Standards For Elections in the SADC Region

Author: SADC Parliamentary Forum
Date: 2001
Size: 22 pages (130KB)

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Summary

Democratic governance leads to political stability and economic gains. Since the advent of re-introduction of multi-party politics, there have been significant gains in promoting democratic governance in SADC countries. However, a lot still remains to be done to improve the political environment in which elections are conducted. What can be done to support these efforts? How can democratic processes and transparency in the conduct of elections be improved?

To answer these questions, this report from the SADC Parliamentary Forum first exposes some of the problems that still pervade the political environment in that region. Based on the lessons learned and experiences gained in election observation in Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius and Zimbabwe, recommendations are made to face such problems. Strengthening electoral institutions, reforming outdated legal frameworks and electoral practices, and entrenching the democratic process in the conduct of elections are all basic ingredients to foster transparency, to level the playing field and to ensure free and fair elections. That, in turn, will improve the political stability of the region and will contribute to economic development.

Neither constitutions, nor the electoral systems, nor the practices of most institutions, have been aligned to the new multi-party democratic culture. Levels of tolerance of contesting views are still too low including the empowerment of women to participate in decision-making processes. Although countries like Botswana and Mauritius have served as models of democratic governance, the findings from this report apply to most countries in the region. These include:

Cumbersome procedures, the use of violence, lack of information and other means are used to inhibit individuals to exercise their right to vote and be voted, to violate the secrecy of the ballot and to intimidate members of opponent parties
Governments have just paid lip service commitment to multi-party democracy. Practices like the late announcement of election dates, the misuse of public resources, and the use of state owned media to seek advantage over the opposition, are still common
Electoral commissions are partial and are accused of being pro the ruling party that has appointed them
The voting process presents problems such as polling stations which are located in isolated places, wooden ballot boxes and unclear systems to count votes.

Policy pointers to foster transparency and integrity in the electoral process include the need to:

Enshrine the right to non-discriminatory voter registration and nomination procedures, and the right to vote unimpeded and in secrecy in the constitution of every country
Emphasise the need to involve women and people with disability
Modify the electoral laws, provide a code of conduct for election stakeholders and civic education for voters
Create free, independent and impartial Boundary Delimitation Commissions and Electoral Commissions
Establish and strengthen electoral tribunals to enforce electoral codes and to deal in a timely fashion with electoral crimes and violence denunciations
Accept observers as part of the process to institutionalise multi-party democracy and as a mechanism to persuade governments to adhere to the ingredients of free and fair elections.

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Source: SADC Parliamentary Forum, 2001, Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region, Adopted by the SADC Parliamentary Forum Plenary Assembly, Windhoek, Namibia, 25 March 2001
Author: South African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC), http://www.sadcpf.org
Organisation: South African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC), http://www.sadcpf.org