Commonwealth to observe Swaziland voter registration
14 July 2003
The Commonwealth Expert Team appointed by Secretary-General Don McKinnon to be present at the voter registration exercise for the forthcoming General Elections in Swaziland will begin work today.The Expert Team comprises:
Justice Hilary J Mkatte
Commissioner
National Electoral Commission
United Republic of Tanzania
Mr William A Sage
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer
Alberta
Canada
supported by Ms Nishana Jayawickrama from the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Team will be briefed by the Swaziland National Election Office and will then visit voter registration centres throughout the country to observe the registration process. It will leave Swaziland on 19 July after completing its report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Note to Editors:
The Expert Team's Terms of Reference are as follows:
"Following an invitation to the Commonwealth Secretariat from the Chief Electoral Officer to observe voter registration in Swaziland, the Commonwealth Expert Team is to observe relevant aspects of the organisation and conduct of the voter registration process, in accordance with the laws of Swaziland. They are to consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of this part of the electoral process and to determine in their own judgement whether it provides a sound basis for continued preparations for the General Elections."
Swaziland has scheduled General Elections for October 2003. Commonwealth Observers have previously been present at voter registration exercises in Lesotho (2002), Sierra Leone (2002) and Nigeria (2003).
For further inquiries please contact Nishana Jayawickrama on +268 416 5000.
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