News
African Union to observe elections in Malawi and South Africa
Voter casts ballot in Mali presidential election, November 24, 2013. PHOTO/Habibou Kouyate/AFP
African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has approved an observer mission to South Africa to monitor the May 7 presidential and general elections.
The 53-member strong observer mission will be led by former president of Ghana John Kufour.
The observers come from the Pan African Parliament, human rights groups and civil society. The observer mission will follow all African Union principles and its charter on elections.
This is in line with democratic values the AU Commission espouses.
“The mission will present its findings shortly after election day, when a preliminary statement will be released. This will be followed by a detailed and comprehensive final report, 2 months after the elections,” the African Union Commission said.
There are 29 political parties contesting the South African elections.
This has been described as one of the most hotly contested polls with the ruling African National Congress (ANC’s) dominance being challenged at every level of government even its former members.
The elections come at a time the country is embroiled in a debate around the massive expenditure at incumbent President Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla. The ANC had cautioned that the Nkandla report not be used to campaign against it.
The party has already lodged a court case against the opposition Democratic Alliance for claiming in text messages that Zuma stole money from taxpayers.
The African Union is also sending an observer mission to Malawi for their May 20 presidential and general elections. The commission has approved for the deployment a team of 10 observers. This team will begin its work on April 12.
Source: The New Age