from Prof. Iqbal
Jhazbhay - South Africa
The
Somaliland observer delegation -consisting of 16 participants from the
Somaliland Electoral Commission, the 3 political parties in Somaliland,
women’s formations and members of the Somaliland Journalist Association-
congratulate the people of South Africa.
As
an African delegation from the Horn of Africa, which has just experienced
its presidential democratic election (the first since 1968), we are most
proud to have been associated with the people of South Africa. It was a
landmark occasion. For the first time since 1994, a Somaliland electoral
observer delegation has observed a South African election and received
accreditation as observers from the South African Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC).
We
thank the IEC, the government of South Africa, our facilitators Dr Chris
Landsberg of the prestigious Centre for Policy Studies and the University of
South Africa and, the people of South Africa for allowing us to be part of
your critical history in the making.
A
detailed report of our observations and experiences in consolidating
democracy will be made available to the IEC, as well as the various
institutions supporting this delegation.
We
wish the people of South Africa and the African National Congress the very
best for their future. We are confident that South Africa is
the democracy capital of Africa.
DETAILS
OF OBSERVER TEAM:
On
voting day, 16th April, and the 15th of April,
we note the following:
The
16 observers were deployed to the following areas:
·
Soweto
·
Mamelodi
·
Houghton
·
Wierda Park,
Centurion
·
Coblyn Park,
Pretoria
·
IEC Result
Centre, Pretoria
Our
observers were able to observe voting in 16 polling stations. Observers
attended the opening, closing and counting at the polling stations. Polling
stations opened on time and voting got underway as planned.
Our
delegation members were fortunate to be the only international observers
present, when President Thabo
Mbeki and Mr. Nelson Mandela casted their votes.
In
general the observer delegation concluded that the voting process was
systematic, peaceful, free and fair.
For
further details, contact the operations center at + 27 82 880 8603
(
082 880 8603 )
More
details on Somaliland’s experience see:
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/pubs/umrabulo/umrabulo18/success.html
