South Africa's Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Maite
Nkoana-Mashabane has praised Namibia for its commitment to multi-party
democracy by holding successive free and fair elections since independence.
While
launching the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observer
Mission (SEOM) to Namibia's general elections, Nkoana-Mashabane described
Namibia as a “young and vibrant democracy”.
“These,
the 5th national democratic elections since independence in 1990, are
significant and consistent with democratic practice in terms of regular
elections,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.
“The
people of Namibia have shown commitment to multi-party democracy, and elections
are an important exercise in pluralism and are an essential element in the
democratic process.”
She
noted that the electoral process is fundamental to any competitive democracy as
it allows eligible voters to express their political will and choice.
“The
upcoming electoral process therefore capacitates and enables the voters to own
and identify with a democratic political system, its structures and
institutions,” she said.
Nkoana-Mashabane
heads a 90 member SADC electoral observation team, which is in the country to
witness the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
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