Zambian government calls for ICT integration in SADC Electoral Observer Missions

Zambia has called for the integration of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT)-based methodologies into the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observer Missions (SEOM) operations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Permanent Secretary, Etambuyu Gundersen, said the effective utilisation of technology could significantly improve the efficiency, accuracy, coordination and credibility of election observation processes. Gundersen made the call during the official opening of the SADC In-Country Training for Electoral stakeholders on the use of ICT-based, ethodology for SEOMs, held at Mkango Cresta GolfView in Lusaka on Monday,.

The training brought together 100 participants drawn from government ministries, Parliament, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Civil Society Organisations and the academia. It was organized in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). Other participants came from the National Assembly of Zambia, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Non-Governmental Organisations, Youth Groups, Political Parties, Women’s Organisations and Academia.

“Given the vast geographical nature of many SADC Member States, election observers are often deployed across multiple districts and provinces. Relying solely on manual methods of observation can therefore, be tedious, slow, cumbersome and inefficient,” Gundersen stated. She added that the adoption of digital tools was necessary as electoral processes continued to evolve across the region, noting that manual observation methods were no longer adequate for modern elections.

[paywall]

Gundersen emphasized that the integration of ICT-based methodologies into SEOM operations was therefore, both timely and necessary. “Technology had become an integral part of modern life, and election observation could not be left behind. The initiative would expand Zambia’s pool of trained observers for future SADC missions,” she stated.

The five-day training aims to equip Zambian electoral stakeholders with practical skills to contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and electoral credibility within the region. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

[/paywall]