SADC youths reject poll outcome

The Southern African Youth Solidarity Network (SAYSN) has rejected the 23 August Zimbabwe election results on account of the election’s failure to meet regional and international standards.

“SAYSN, therefore, rejects the recently ended Zimbabwe National elections as neither democratic, free, fair, nor credible.”

This comes after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Observer Mission concluded that certain aspects of Zimbabwe’s presidential and legislative elections failed  to meet Zimbabwe’s own consitutional requirements, the country’s Electoral Act and the regional guidelines for democratic elections.

SAYSN is calling for the regional body to convene an Extraordinary SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Troika meeting to address the Zimbabwean conondrum.

“SAYSN urges SADC to convene an Extraordinary SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Troika meeting to deliberate on the SADC EOM report and take appropriate action to allow Zimbabwe to have democratic, free, fair, and credible elections.”

“SADC and other international electoral observation missions cited problems with transparency, independence, fairness, and credibility at all stages of the electoral process.”

SAYSN suggests a national inclusive dialogue process for Zimbabwe, backed by both the region and the international community.

“Only dialogue anchored on a shared vision, defined by all of Zimbabwe, can be the foundation of sustainable, inclusive, and progressive development,” they said.

The discredited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) declared Emmerson Mnangagwa the winner with 52.6% of the votes, while his closest rival Nelson Chamisa had 44% of vote according to Zec. The opposition has rejected both the process and outcome of the election which was characterised by delays of ballots in opposition strongholds and alleged command voting in rural areas.