Zimbabwe: Excerpts from 2002 African observer mission reports

Updated March 2002

ANC Observer Mission in Zimbabwe

The ANC Observer Mission in Zimbabwe declared that "the will of the people of Zimbabwe has prevailed. Amid chronic polarisation, claims of widespread intimidation, and in the context of clear flaws in the electoral process, President Robert Mugabe has won the presidential elections with an overwhelming majority."

"We are confident - said the team - that the people of Zimbabwe will handle the current period with the same calm and maturity that they displayed during the elections (ANC Today Vol. 2, No.11)."

COMESA Observer Team

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, Observer Team said it was of the view of that the election was conducted credibly, freely and fairly (The Herald).

Namibian Government Observer Team

The Namibian Government Observer Team declared the election free and fair saying it reflected the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe. The Namibian Government Observer team leader, Dr Kaire Mbuende, stated: "we are largely satisfied with administrative arrangements of the electoral process despite some difficulties that were experienced." He dismissed allegations of vote rigging by the ruling ZANU-PF saying the "system is water tight without room for rigging (The Herald)."

Nigerian Observer Team

The leader of the Nigerian Observer Team, Chief Ernest Shonekan, commended Zimbabweans for a peaceful poll. The leader of the Nigerian Observer Team urged the Government to prioritise economic restructuring in the post-election. He added that the country should put the election behind them and unite for the development of the country. The Nigerian Team said it noticed nothing that tarnished the integrity and the outcome of the election. It, however, said congestion at some polling stations in urban centres caused long queues (The Herald).

OAU Observer Mission

Gertrude Mongella, the head of the OAU Observer Mission told journalists in Harare: "on the basis of observations made during the voting, verification and counting process on the ground and the objective realities, the OAU Observer team wishes to state that in general the election was transparent, credible, free and fair (The Herald)."

Questioned on the government's reduction of polling stations in urban areas, where the MDC enjoys large support, Mongella said: "It's true we observed long queues in Harare and Chitungwiza and the reason we were given was that there were fewer polling stations. It's logical that where there are few stations we are bound to get long queues. But we as an observer team were more concerned with the system by which the election was conducted. The hidden agendas are difficult to establish from mere observations. We needed to have been in the country for a longer period in order to pick them up. Mongella said: "I used the phrase hidden agendas deliberately because I am a politician. We are observers not investigators."

The leader of the OAU Observer Mission added: "That there were fewer polling stations in areas where other parties enjoy support is up to Zimbabweans. You could not expect other people to know. Ours was to see that people had time to vote."

Asked about the government's failure to comply with a High Court order directing the one-day countrywide extension of the voting period, Mongella said: "It is difficult for us non-Zimbabweans to interpret a High Court order given to the Zimbabwean government and which I think was made in the middle of the night. I think you are expecting too much from us observers to say what has to be done for stations to open at 7am. So I think this question is better answered by the government itself (All Africa.com)."

SADC Ministerial Task Force

The SADC Ministerial Task Force on Zimbabwe said the result was a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe. The SADC Ministerial Task Force on Zimbabwe declared: "despite reported incidents of pre-election violence and some logistical shortcomings during voting, it is the considered opinion of the SADC Ministerial Task Force that the elections were substantially free and fair, and were a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe." The SADC Ministerial Task Force appealed to the people of Zimbabwe to accept the results of the elections and to work together for the development of their country. The task force comprised Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana (The Herald).