Adopted on 20 July 2015, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa 2.1.3. Promote the holding of regular free and fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections to institutionalise legitimate authority of representative government; 2.1.4. Enhance electoral integrity by providing a basis for comprehensive, accurate and impartial observation of national elections; and sharing of experiences and information among Member States about democratic development; 2.1.5. Promote electoral justice and best practices in the management of elections and mitigation of election-related conflict; 2.1.6. Encourage gender balance and equality; and ethnic and religious diversity in governance and development; 2.1.7. Promote the development of inclusive political institutions; and enhancement of civil and political rights; and economic, social and cultural rights for the purposes of advancing democracy, prosperity, peace, stability and security in the region. 3. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SADC PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES GOVERNING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS 3.1 In conformity with the applicable provisions of the SADC Treaty and the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation therefore, Member States do hereby affirm and endorse the following: 3.1.1 4. The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, including Annexures I and II, shall, subject to national laws, apply to all elections held in the Member States of SADC. PRINCIPLES FOR CONDUCTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS 4.1 Member States shall invite SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) to observe their elections, based on the provisions of the SADC Treaty, the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. To this end, Member States hereby commit themselves to upholding the following “Principles for Conducting Democratic Elections” in the furtherance of democratic elections in the SADC region: 4.1.1 Encourage the full participation of all citizens in democratic and development processes; 4.1.2 Ensure that all citizens enjoy fundamental freedoms and human rights, Including freedom of association, assembly and expression; -4-