SADC final report condemns Zim’s polls
The SADC Election Observer Mission’s final report on Zimbabwe’s elections has reiterated that the polls fell short of accepted regional and international standards.
The scathing report which is almost a carbon copy of the preliminary report dealt Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) lack of independence, shadowy organisation Forever Associates Zimbabwe’s (FAZ) intimidation of voters, the courts, the police’s partisan behaviour, postal voting, state media bias, the diaspora vote, among other issues.
A questionable delimitation report produced by ZEC did not escape the attention of the SEOM.
“The Mission was informed that the delimitation exercise that was conducted in 2022 by the ZEC was marred with controversy. In one way or another, concerned stakeholders claimed that the report that ZEC submitted failed to observe the constitutional requirements for such an exercise and that there were also divisions amongst the ZECs regarding the report’s veracity.
“The Mission noted that the average number of voters per constituency is inconsistent with the provision of section 161(6) of the new Constitution adopted in 2013.
High, prohibitive nomination fees and challenges faced by female candidates also came under SADC’s spotlight.
“In June, the government, through Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022, increased the presidential nomination fee from US$1,000 to US$20,000. Nomination fees for a constituency election increased from US$50 to US$1,000. These amounts were also cited as unduly restrictive to less well-off community members, such as women who lack the means. In this context, we also take note of the significance of paragraph 4.1.7 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines, which requires Member States to guarantee an environment of open contest with no undue exclusion and restrictions on anyone eligible and qualified to stand as a candidate in any election.
“The SEOM noted that at least two female candidates contesting for the presidency encountered difficulties when they attempted to pay their nomination fees when the Nomination Court sat in July 2023.”
The report, which is for recommendation purposes, is however silent on whether there should be a re-run of the election. CCC has been calling for fresh elections supervised by the regional body.
