WITH Just Over A Week Remaining Before Tanzania’s General Election On October 29, 2025, The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observation Mission (SEOM) Has Begun Preparations To Assess The Country’s Democratic Environment, Including The Protection Of Human Rights.
The Mission, Which Arrived In Tanzania On October 12, Has Deployed Observers Across 27 Regions, Though It Could Not Reach Mtwara, Tabora, Shinyanga, And Tanga Due To Logistical Challenges. Speaking At The Launch Of The Observation Exercise On October 21, SEOM Head And Former Speaker Of Malawi’s National Assembly, Richard Msowoya, Said The Mission Will Focus On Citizen Participation, Electoral Transparency, And Fundamental Freedoms Such As Expression, Assembly, And Association.
SEOM Will Also Evaluate How Effectively The Electoral System Prevents Corruption, Bribery, Political Bias, Violence, Intimidation, And Suppression Of Opinions. Observers Will Review Whether Political Parties Have Equal Access To State Media And Public Information Platforms.
Msowoya Noted That SEOM Will Continue Engaging With Electoral Stakeholders Before, During, And After The Elections. Said Saib Mussa, Deputy Secretary-General Of Tanzania’s Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And East African Cooperation, Said The Government Invited SADC Observers To Ensure The Elections Meet Democratic Standards, Emphasizing That Their Role Is Purely To Observe, Not Intervene.
According To Terry Rose, Senior Officer For Politics And Diplomacy At The SADC Secretariat, SEOM Was Established By Malawi President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, Who Chairs SADC’s Organ On Politics, Defence, And Security. She Said The Mission Will Continue Consulting With Key Stakeholders Nationwide And Issue A Preliminary Report After The Polls.
💡 PLEASE! KINDLY SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS!