PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan, the chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security cooperation, has extended best wishes to Namibia ahead of its general election.

The country conduct voting for presidential candidates and members of the National Assembly today.

The presidential communications directorate said in a statement yesterday that the president praised Namibia’s longstanding commitment to democratic values and peaceful elections.

Urging citizens and political stakeholders to uphold these principles during the electoral process, she said that Namibia has maintained an exemplary reputation as a peaceful nation that upholds democratic principles. 

“We trust that the citizens of Namibia will once again demonstrate adherence to these principles and the SADC guidelines for democratic elections,” the statement affirmed.

The elections will determine Namibia’s next Head of State and MPs in accordance with the country’s constitutional requirements, she said, stressing the need for eligible voters to turn out in large numbers.

This is vital to ensure their participation in shaping Namibia’s future leadership, the statement noted, pointing out that the oversight role of the organ under the revised SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, drawn up in 2021.

SADC has deployed its electoral observation mission to oversee the pre-election, polling and post-election phases, where it will assess Namibia’s compliance with “SADC’s standards for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.”

“These principles promote the core values of democracy and good governance across the Southern Africa region,” the statement further noted, acclaiming Namibia’s role as a model for peaceful electoral processes in the region.

All political actors, their supporters and the Namibian public need to act responsibly, ensuring peace and stability throughout the election period and beyond, the SADC stateswoman intoned.

“As a region, we look forward to electoral processes that align with the democratic values and principles enshrined in our SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on politics, defence and security cooperation, and the revised principles and guidelines governing democratic elections,” she emphasized.

As the organ chairperson, the president reiterated the region’s commitment to fostering democratic governance and supporting peaceful transitions of power, it added.