Harare – 27June 2008 – Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a network of 38 organisations notes the withdrawal of one Presidential candidate from the election prior to polling day with much concern and the impact this will have on the credibility and legitimacy of the election outcome. ZESN has been running a long-term observation project since December 2007 with observers based in the country’s constituencies. These observers have been collecting election related information to date.

ZESN notes that the run-off has been marred by low voter turnout and heavy police presence especially in the opposition strongholds.

The environment on polling day has been tense following a sustained and violent intimidation campaign against the electorate since the announcement of the March 29 presidential election results. On the eve of the election there were reports of suspected ZANU PF supporters confiscating people’s national Ids in Mabvuku, Harare.

In most rural areas and some high density urban areas like Mbare and Sunningdale queues were observed amidst reports that people were being forced to go and vote. In Masvingo North, at Matova, St Stanislaus and Mahoto polling stations observers reported that youth militia and traditional leaders were writing down names of all those who were going to the polls as they entered the polling stations and were again asking voters to provide the traditional leaders with serial numbers of their ballot papers as they left after casting their vote. The same pattern was also noted in Esigodini, Chitungwiza, Zengeza and Mufakose where voters were being asked to provide suspected members of ZANU PF with their serial numbers after voting. In Zengeza, a known ZANU PF losing candidate in the harmonised elections addressed voters at her house before they cast their votes ordering them to record serial numbers of their ballots and surrender them to her. In Mazowe Central at Howard polling station, suspected ZANU PF members were recording the names of voters in a register. This was taking place from a distance of about 300m from the polling station.

ZESN also notes alarming reports from Shamva, Chikomba and Marondera that many people, including known literates like teachers were reportedly being assisted to vote. Chikomba Central and Masvingo North Constituencies were some of the areas where ZESN received such reports at the time of this statement.

In most rural areas ZESN observers reported that traditional leaders are forcing voters to go and vote. There is systematic gathering and forcing of people to the polls particularly in Mashonaland Central in Guruve North Constituency and Mashonaland West in Hurungwe East at Matende Primary School. Suspected ZANU PF supporters were reportedly moving from house to house calling on all registered voters to go and vote for ZANU PF. In Chikomba West Constituency in Mashonaland East people were being ferried by lorries to go and vote. ZESN also received reports of known ZANU PF activists serving as polling officials.

ZESN notes with great distress reports that in some areas voters are being asked to attend all night vigils tonight at bases dotted across the country to take an audit of who voted and who did not.

Considering the low voter turnout, the forcing of voters to go and cast their vote, alarming levels of political violence, evident participation of traditional leaders and known ZANU PF activists in the voting process, voter intimidation through requests for ballot serial numbers, among a host of electoral flaws, it is ZESN’s considered view that the outcome of this election in such a climate of fear and coercion will not reflect expression of the will of Zimbabweans and that the run-off will not solve the current political crisis.

ZESN urges political players to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the prevailing political stalemate.

Background

ZESN has been observing all elections in Zimbabwe since 2000. For the first time in eight years, due to the late invitation to observe today’s election and a huge reduction in the number of ZESN observers (from 15 433 to 500) by the Minister of Justice as well as the harassment and intimidation of its observers, the Network was unable to field short-term accredited observers to observe the presidential run-off election.

PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE

FOR COMMENTS AND FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT

Zimbabwe Election Support Network