Ezulwini – The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has officially launched preparations for the 27th Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC (ECF-SADC), calling upon the region to confront the rapidly evolving influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on electoral processes.
With Eswatini last hosting the AGC in 2006, the country’s return as host, 19 years later, is seen as an important moment in its electoral diplomacy. The 2024 edition of the AGC was held in Seychelles.
Welcoming stakeholders, the EBC described elections as an undeniable right, a principle EBC said it has selflessly safeguarded as Eswatini’s electoral management body.
Hosting the AGC, EBC added, reflects Eswatini’s commitment to regional cooperation on electoral integrity, noting that the event gathers all EMBs from ECF-SADC’s member states on a rotational basis.
This year, delegates are expected from 14 SADC countries, among them Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The 2025 AGC is guided by the theme: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Elections; Threats and Opportunities.”
According to the EBC Deputy Chairman, Reverend Sipho Tembe, the theme is both timely and necessary. EBC noted that it has already taken bold steps into digital election management, having introduced the use of a biometric system to eliminate election fraud and ensure equal suffrage in the election.
These systems, Tembe said, help improve the integrity and efficiency of the elections and optimise resource allocation.
As AI becomes more embedded in digital ecosystems, bringing risks such as deepfakes, misinformation, data manipulation and cyber-attacks, Tembe said the region must address these threats head-on.
“We are optimistic that this conference will present a turning point and a moment when we choose to harness AI not as a threat, but as a tool to deepen democracy and genuine elections,” he stated.
The EBC reaffirmed its mandate to uphold democratic standards, saying it remains “resolute to championing her constitutional mandate of delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful genuine elections.”
EBC noted that enabling technologies and digital modules are central to enhancing public trust, regular elections and universal suffrage.
Throughout the five-day event, sessions will unpack the risks and opportunities posed by AI, share country experiences, and debate safeguards for ethical and transparent use of emerging technologies. Regional and international organisations will also share insights on contemporary electoral challenges and practical solutions for EMBs navigating rapid technological change.
By hosting the 27th AGC, Eswatini aims to position itself as a leader in the region’s transition into AI-driven election management, while reinforcing a collective SADC commitment to defending electoral integrity in the digital era.
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