UN joins growing chorus on Zim election
Grace Moyo
The United Nations (UN) has added its voice to a chorus of voices denouncing the conduct of Zimbabwe’s August 23 election.
“The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Zimbabwe’s elections. He is concerned about the arrest of observers, reports of voter intimidation, threats of violence, harassment and coercion.
The Secretary-General calls on political leaders and their supporters to reject any and all forms of violence, threats of violence, or incitement to violence, and to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected.
The Secretary-General calls on political actors to peacefully settle any disputes through established legal and institutional channels, and urges the competent authorities to resolve any disputes in a fair, expeditious, and transparent manner to ensure that the results are a true reflection of the will of the people.”
SADC which has previously turned a blind eye to Zimbabwe’s controversial elections over the years issued a rare preliminary report which concluded that; “The mission observed that the pre-election and voting phases of 23-24 Aug harmonised election were peaceful and calm. However, the mission noted that some aspects of the harmonised elections fell short of the requirements of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act and SADC principles governing democratic elections.”
The regional body’s proclamation predictably drew the ire of Zanu PF which responded by a series of press conferences. Zanu PF’s spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa went on to denigrate the person of SADC head of observer mission, Nevers Mumba. His colleague Amon Murwira called on SADC to change its report.
In response SADC hit back asserting that head of the Observer Mission Mumba’s report was not an individual’s report as it represented SADC’s position on the conduct of the poll.
The African Union said the activities of a shadowy ruling party aligned group Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) was “criminal.” The group deployed at polling stations took down names of voters as they went in to vote, a move that has been deemed to be part of intimidation tactics.
The US Embassy in Harare agreed with other observer missions in poking holes in the process that culminated in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declaring Emmerson Mnangagwa the winner by 52.6 % of the vote. Mnangagwa’s fierce rival, Nelson Chamisa garnered 44 % of the vote according to ZEC, which he dismissed as a fake result.
“These missions cited problems with the transparency, independence, fairness, and credibility of electoral processes; undue restrictions on the rights to freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of expression that are guaranteed by Zimbabwe’s Constitution and reflected in regional guidelines; reports of voter intimidation; and the disenfranchisement of candidates, particularly women.”
“While the election days were predominantly peaceful, the electoral process thus far did not meet many regional and international standards.”
Zanu PF and Mnangagwa are desperate for endorsement following the hugely discredited election. At the time of publishing only two heads of states have sent congratulatory messages to the veteran politician nicknamed “crocodile”. President Hage Geingob of Namibia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, a personal friend of Mnangagwa have congratulated Mnangagwa for the his victory.
Chamisa told a press conference that he is on a diplomatic offensive to prove that he won the election. He vowed to form a government.
