Zimbabwe 2000: SADC-ECF observer mission report (continued)
Security
The security at the polling stations was effective. Approximately 6 police officers were present at each polling station as well as international observers, domestic monitors and election agents. It is noted that the presence of all these role players, as well as the commitment of the voters to peaceful elections contributed to the success of the polling.
Voter Information and Education
The Mission participants did not personally observe any voter education workshops being conducted. The Mission nevertheless assumes that there must have been extensive voter information and education provided by civil society organisations and political parties because of the high turnout of voters. This demonstrates a high level of trust by voters in the elections process and a belief in the secrecy of the vote. An additional indicator of effective voter education was the low percentage of spoilt ballots.
Recommendations
The mission makes the following recommendations to the electoral management authorities and the relevant Ministries for consideration to be integrated into the electoral regulations for future elections:
- Develop a Code of Conduct for all stakeholders to the electoral process.
- Avoid at all costs last minute changes to electoral regulations to prevent confusion amongst the voters and political parties and accusations of electoral manipulation.
- Establish clear procedures for the accreditation of domestic monitors and international observers early on in the electoral process.
- Develop conflict management and conflict resolution mechanisms to deal with election related conflicts.
- Develop mechanisms for effective Inter-Party dialogue.
- Establish a participatory delimitation process.
- Establish an autonomous and independent electoral body.
Conclusion
The Terms of References of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries' stipulates that its evaluation and assessment of the elections in Zimbabwe should focus on the electorla legislative arrangements and how these have been implemented during the election process. The environment in which the elections take place has a bearing on the electoral process but this is not the primary focus of the Mission.
The recommendations made by the ECF Mission are not intended to be judgements of the electoral process - these judgements are left to the electoral management authorities and the political parties to decide whether the electoral laws were effectively implemented. The ECF Observer Mission on the other hand offers constructive suggestions and recommendations to ensure a sustainable electoral democracy in Zimbabwe.
It is noted that the ECF Observer Mission acknowledges and respects the international standards developed for electoral practice. However it is important that it be recognised that the material conditions in the SADC countries determine the kinds of processes, norms and standards reflected in this region. These too need to be respected and considered when elections within this region are observed.
In conclusion the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries acknowledges that the pre-election period was marred by violence, intimidation and 30 instances where Zimbabwe citizens died. It also acknowledges that the administration of the electoral process was conducted in a manner that was a transparent, credible, well managed where no serious incidents of violence were reported on the polling days, and that the results are legitimate and reflects the will of the people.