Adopted on 20 July 2015, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa 5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBER STATES HOLDING ELECTIONS 5.1 As a commitment to the SADC Treaty and the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Member States shall undertake to implement interventions designed to promote democratic principles and practices. To this end, the responsibilities of Member States shall be to: 5.1.1 Make every effort to ensure the scrupulous implementation of the “Principles for Conducting Democratic Elections”, as contained in section four (4) of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, and in accordance with the constitutional processes of the country; 5.1.2 Facilitate the observation of the entire electoral cycle of their national elections by SEOMs, including the deployment of Goodwill Missions, Long Term Observers (LTOs), Short Term Observers (STOs), and pre-election assessment processes; 5.1.3 Establish impartial, professional, independent, all inclusive, competent and accountable EMBs staffed by eminent, non-partisan and capable commissioners, and efficient and professional personnel; 5.1.4 Ensure transparency, justice, and expediency in the resolution of disputes that arise from elections by such means as Codes of Conduct, Constitutional and Electoral Courts, or any relevant Court of law to arbitrate in the event of disputes arising from the conduct of elections; 5.1.5 Ensure that the EMB, or other legally designated institution, is independent and that it has adequate logistics, human, financial resources and contingencies made available for the entire Electoral Cycle, including the authority to recruit, train and build the capacity of permanent and temporary electoral staff. 5.1.6 Ensure that adequate security is provided to the entire electoral process including all political parties participating in elections; 5.1.7 Ensure timely accreditation of observers in accordance with national laws as appropriate; 5.1.8 Uphold the Principles of equal and universal suffrage in line with the provisions of the SADC Treaty and relevant SADC Protocols; 5.1.9 Guarantee and ensure a political environment that is conducive to the conduct of democratic elections; -6-