The 27th Annual General Conference of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries, held in the Kingdom of Eswatini on 1–5 December 2025, brought together electoral management bodies (EMBs), policymakers, experts, development partners, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the increasing saliency of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes. Around the theme, Artificial Intelligence in Elections: Threats and Opportunities, the discussions created an opportunity for regional dialogue on the opportunities, risks, and broad governance implications of AI for democratic processes.

This report examines how AI can be leveraged to enhance electoral management through enhanced efficiency, inclusivity, voter engagement, and cybersecurity, while also addressing challenges such as disinformation, algorithmic bias, cyber threats, and digital exclusion. The report provides practical recommendations for EMBs, policymakers, election practitioners, researchers, civil society actors, and development partners on governance frameworks, ethical oversight, regional cooperation, and institutional preparedness to ensure that AI supports credible, transparent, and inclusive elections across the SADC region.