Zimbabwe 2000: SADC-ECF observer mission report

Updated June 2000

Terms of reference

The Terms of Reference for the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries' observer missions is premised on providing a formative evaluation and assessment of the electoral process with recommendations as to how best these can be improved on as well as sharing regional experiences at a SADC level.

The primary objective of the Mission is to assist and facilitate opportunities where regional electoral management bodies build capacity for the conduct of efficient and professional elections within SADC countries. When evaluating an election the following criteria are used by the Mission:

• The transparency of the process.
• The credibility of the process.
• The legitimacy of the process.

Observations

Pre Election Environment

The ECF Mission acknowledges that violence and intimidation was experienced during the campaigning period as reported in the international, regional and national media and by various international observer missions. On arrival in Zimbabwe the ECF Mission noted that the levels of violence had started to effectively decrease the closer it came to the time of the poll. The Mission acknowledges the role played by international observer missions and domestic monitors in contributing to the decrease of intimidation and incidents of violence just before polling and on the election days. The Mission also acknowledges the role played by the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe in contributing to the peaceful environment in which the elections took place.

Election Administration

The Mission congratulates the electoral management authorities on the professional and competent manner in which polls and vote counting were conducted. The administration, logistics, electoral staff and voting and counting process was well managed and in accordance with the provisions of the electoral legislation and regulations.

Voters' Roll

There were, however, some difficulties experienced with regards to the Voters' Roll. It was observed that at some polling stations voters were turned away and not provided with the opportunity of exercising their right to vote as their names did not appear on the voters' roll. The omissions, however regrettable do not seem to have fundamentally affected or undermined the electoral process and the election results.

Nomination of Candidates

Although the Mission did not investigate the processes whereby candidates were nominated, the Mission nevertheless notes that 15 political parties and go independent candidates stood for elections. This not only reflects high participation in the electoral process by the citizenry but also indicates a system which has facilitated participation.