GABORONE, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) electoral observer mission will virtually observe the conduct of elections in Seychelles and Tanzania, Botswana's Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Lemogang Kwape said Wednesday.

Kwape, who will be leading both missions, was appointed this week by President Mokgweetsi Masisi as the incumbent chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation in accordance with the regional bloc's revised guidelines governing democratic elections.

"Our virtual observations will focus on the pre and post-elections periods which include the final stretch campaigns, voting day and the process of counting of the ballot papers," said Kwape in a telephone interview.

Seychelles will hold its presidential and national assembly elections from Oct. 22-24, while general elections of Tanzania will take place on Oct. 28.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health protocols in the region, the observer missions will only consist of representatives from the SADC Organ Troika member states including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe as well as members of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council.

These representatives will be supported by the SADC Secretariat, according to a statement released by Botswana's Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation early this week. Enditem

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