JB to lead election observer mission to Botswana: Informs Malawi leader

Former Malawian President Joyce Banda is to lead the African Union election observer team for  Botswana’s general elections, an AU official confirmed to Nyasa Times.

The former president’s public relations office  and State House officials also confirmed that Banda will be in Botswana and she formally notified President Peter Mutharika on her observer mission.

Mutharika, said State House  press team,  gave an “Ok” to the letter she received from Banda on the Africa Union assignment.

Banda is expected to arrive in Botswana this week.

AU mission would issue various statements regarding their observation in the run up to the elections day, including a pre-election statement on findings of Long-Term Observers (LTOs), a preliminary statement that would include LTO findings and Election Day observations and a comprehensive final report that would include recommendations.

The pre-election and preliminary statements will be issued by the mission leader.

The final report would be issued by the chairperson of the AU Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

AU expects Botswana to live up to its history and hold free, fair and credible elections.

Botswana held its first multiparty elections in 1965 ahead of the declaration of independence.