Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Commission Forum Joao Leopoldo da Costa here on Monday expressed satisfaction at Angolan voters' registration process.
Addressing the opening of the SADC ninth electoral commissions' meeting in the Angolan capital Luanda, Mozambican Joao Costa said "SADC is ready to cooperate with Angola in the organization of an efficient and transparent electoral process."
He also called on the Angolan government to adopt principles enabling the national and regional debates for promotion of electoral management, taking into account the consolidation of democracy in Southern Africa.
The chairman said he expected SADC electoral commissions would make more contributions to consolidate peace and democracy as well as support SADC member countries to struggle against poverty in the region.
Participants at the electoral commissions' meeting which is scheduled to close on Tuesday will debate electoral campaigns and freedom of expression and matters relating to the media and elections.
They will also discuss issues like the contribution of press for the creation of a climate for the holding of free and fair elections, commitment of national diffusion organs in the SADC countries and media, freedom of expression and electoral administration.
Democratization of elections in Southern Africa, challenges in the use of norms, patterns and principles, and the impact of access to information during the elections are also on the agenda.
Chairman of the forum of editors of southern Africa Rob Jamieson, general secretary of the association of media organs of southern Africa Arlindo Lopers and spokesman of the national electoral commission of Angola Adao de Almeida will give lectures at the gathering.
The Forum of Electoral Commission of SADC is made up of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Mauritius, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Source: Xinhua
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