SADC MISSION DECLARES SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTION FREE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 000832

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM ASEC SF PGOV
SUBJECT: SADC MISSION DECLARES SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTION FREE
AND FAIR

PRETORIA 00000832 001.2 OF 002


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Summary
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1. (U) The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
concluded that South Africa's national and provincial
election on April 22 was "peaceful, free, fair, and
transparent." SADC's delegation, which comprised 108
observers from the region, was led by Swaziland's Minister of
Agriculture Clement Dlamini. Despite the mission's
statements that the election results reflect the will of the
people, the SADC delegation did investigate some concerns
from stakeholders about the pre-election environment and
offered some suggestions and recommendations for future
elections. End Summary.

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"Free and Fair" . . .
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2. (U) A SADC delegation of 108 observers from the region
held a press conference on April 25 and described the
national and provincial election on April 22 as "peaceful,
free, fair, and transparent." Swaziland's Minister of
Agriculture Clement Dlamini told a crowd in Pretoria that
"political parties followed relevant legislation to address
election-related issues affecting them with the electoral
commission."

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. . . With Some Concerns
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3. (U) SADC also noted some areas of concern regarding the
election. Observers pointed out that voting by South
Africans living overseas proved to be one of the areas of
most concern for the election's credibility. The delegation
noted that there was a lack of a clear legal framework to
regulate voter registration overseas. The SADC mission also
said the involvement of the Department of Foreign Affairs at
voting stations overseas was an issue because diplomats often
are seen as political agents of the ruling party. A second
area of concern focused on logistical issues. The mission
said that in some areas voting stations ran out of ballots
and ballot boxes. (Note: The U. S. Mission's own observer
teams also noticed that some voting stations were running
short of ballots and ballot boxes. End Note.) The third
area of concern focused on issues of political freedom,
noting that in some areas political parties set up stands
inside the perimeter of voting stations -- e.g., too close to
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) polling stations.
They also said there was singing, dancing, and shouting of
political slogans outside stations as well as party agents
wearing party colors. (Note: Some of the U. S. Mission's
observing teams saw parties outside of voting stations with
music blaring out of expensive cars near party supporters
waving huge party flags. End Note.)

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SADC Offers Few Recommendations
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4. (U) The SADC observer mission suggested the IEC should
enhance its logistical support in the provision, development,
printing, transportation, storage, and management of voting
materials. The delegation also noted that improved supplying
of transparent ballot boxes at all voting stations was needed
in the future -- especially ballot papers. Moreover, SADC's
officers said that the amendment of electoral laws was
necessary to prohibit political activities within the
vicinity of voting stations.

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Comment
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5. (U) SADC's observer mission seemed largely satisfied that
the April 22 election in South Africa reflected the will of
Qthe April 22 election in South Africa reflected the will of
the people. Although generally positive, the regional
observers pointed out some isolated areas where the IEC may
have fallen short and some areas that the SAG could improve.
The question will be how many of the recommendations the IEC
takes onboard and how South Africa's electoral commission

PRETORIA 00000832 002.2 OF 002


evolves ahead of the 2011 local election.
LA LIME