25.8.2023 Final Preliminary Statement 2023 Zim Elections v1.9 Signed
25.8.2023 Final Preliminary Statement 2023 Zim Elections v1.9 Signed
25 AUGUST, 2O23
Forum President: Hon Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo - (Botswana), Vice President Denis KADIMA - (Democratic Republic
of Congo) EXCO: Chairperson: Dr Elsie Nghikembua (Namibia), Vice Chairperson: Mosotho Moepya(South-Africa) ,Prince
Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini (Eswatini),The Right Reverend Carlos S. Matsinhe(Mozambique) Danny Lucas (Seychelles), Hon
CJ (Rtd) Hamid Mahmoud Hamid(Zanzibar), Hon. Justice Priscilla M. Chigumba (Zimbabwe)
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS FORUM OF
SADC COUNTRIES (ECF-SADC) ON THE HARMONISED ELECTIONS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BACKGROUND
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The purpose of the Mission was to provide an independent, impartial, and
objective assessment of the preparations and conduct of the harmonised
elections, to determine the extent of compliance with the legal framework
which governs conduct of elections in Zimbabwe and regional and international
obligations for democratic elections.
This is the fourth time that the ECF-SADC has observed elections in the Republic
of Zimbabwe, the last being 30th July 2018.
The ECF-SADC Election Observer Mission was led by Mr. Mphasa Mokhochane,
Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho. The Deputy
Mission Leader was Dr. Elsie Nghikembua, Chairperson of the Electoral
Commission of Namibia. The Mission deployed thirty (38) observers from ten
(10) Electoral Commissions from SADC countries, namely, Angola, Botswana,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa,
Zambia, and Zanzibar. The Mission commenced its work on 13th August 2023.
ECF-SADC election observation missions are guided by the Principles for Election
Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC Region (PEMMO) (2003)
which is under revision, the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines for
Governing Democratic Elections in the SADC Region (2015) and the African
Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2004). Consistent with the
above-mentioned instruments, the ECF-SADC Election Observer Missions was
also guided by the values of impartiality, neutrality, transparency, and
objectivity.
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To achieve its objectives, the Mission undertook several activities, including
holding a one one-day orientation of its observers on 16th August 2023 to give
them a refresher training on election observation principles and methodology.
The Mission also held a one-day electoral stakeholders briefing, to get an
understanding on the historical and political context and preparations for the
elections.
The various activities undertaken enabled the Mission to gather strategic and
comprehensive information to assess the administration and management of
the of the 2023 harmonised elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
5. DEPLOYMENT
The Mission also attended the final rallies of political parties; these were of the
ZANU-PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) held on 20th August 2023
to 21st August 2023.
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6. PRE-ELECTION PERIOD
The primary objective of the pre- election assessment mission was “to
technically assess the preparedness of ZEC to hold credible elections”. The
checklist was formulated based on documented minimum standards for
transparent, and credible elections as provided under the following regional
instruments on management of elections: -
The Mission held consultations with ZEC and electoral stakeholders at Rainbow
Towers Hotel, Harare on 16th August 2023 and 17th August 2023. The
stakeholders were drawn from different sectors of society. These included, but
were not limited to, the legal fraternity, the media, academia, political parties,
and non-state actors:
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In addition, the Mission participated in the meeting of the Heads of Mission of
International Observation Missions which was organized and hosted by the
SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) on 22nd August 2023 and the Heads of
Mission meeting hosted by the joint African Union - COMESA Mission on 24th
August 2023. During these meetings the various missions shared their
preliminary observations on the general state of readiness for polling and the
polling day observations respectively, in the political and electoral
environmental context as observed.
The Mission also had an additional opportunity to engage the ZEC on 24th August
2023, on the developments which had occurred on 23rd August 2023.
During the interface and consultations with ZEC and electoral stakeholders
described above, the following issues were raised concerning the state of
preparedness for the holding of the harmonised elections and the general
political and electoral environment:
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(iii) Stakeholders informed the Mission that ZEC conducted a mobile voter
registration exercise from 12th to 26th March 2023 in preparation for
the harmonised elections during which about 450,000 new voters
were registered. However, there were concerns about how the voter
registration was managed in that in most areas, the registration
centres were difficult to access due to long distances. It was also raised
as a concern that during the implementation of the mobile voter
registration exercise the information relating to details or programs for
the exercise was not adequately disseminated.
(iv) Stakeholders commended ZEC for the quality of the voter education
curriculum and quality of packaging of voter information which
showed significant improvement.
(v) Stakeholders were of the view that in the build up to elections there
was a lack of, or limited collaboration with Civil Society Organisations
(CSOs) when compared to previous elections.
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Other reforms were passed after the proclamation, and as such, the
reforms would only come into operation in subsequent elections.
(x) The nomination fees for the 2023 harmonised elections were
considered to be exorbitant for ordinary citizens to afford. It was
stated that the adjustment was arbitrary and not based on any
justifiable economic or electoral operational factors.
8. ELECTION PHASE
On the polling day the Mission deployed observers to several polling stations
located in the provinces of Bulawayo, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland,
Midlands and Harare (CBD, East and West). The Mission had the opportunity to
observe the opening, voting, closing, and counting processes.
The Mission made the following observations relating to the polling day:
a) Some stations visited opened on time and broadly, the opening procedures
were followed, where the Mission observed. However, some of the polling
stations visited by the teams failed to open. This was observed in polling
stations in parts of Harare, Manicaland and in Bulawayo Provinces. The
reason cited for late opening was non-availability of local authority election
ballot papers. Some stations were reported to have opened after 21h00.
b) The layout in most polling stations allowed for smooth flow of voters and
the secrecy of the vote was safeguarded.
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d) Voters with special needs were given priority to vote. Persons with
disabilities were also being assisted.
e) There were more female polling officials at the polling stations visited.
g) Party agents were present in all polling stations visited, although they
represented mainly Zanu-PF and CCC.
The Mission observed the closing and counting processes and noted the
following:
a) The Mission noted that closing and counting procedures were followed, in
the polling stations in which they were able to observe.
b) Due to the delayed opening of polling stations, The Mission noted that the
closing of polls could not happen in a uniform manner. It was noted that
there were stations that only opened as late as 21h00. Despite the
challenges related to delayed opening of polling stations generally, polling
took place in a peaceful and secure environment.
9. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
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The ECF-SADC made recommendations during the July 2018 harmonised
elections and during its pre-election assessment mission in May 2023. The
recommendations made at the time remain relevant. the recommendations
focused on the following thematic areas: communications, the voters roll, and
logistics.
For the 2023 harmonised elections, the ECF – SADC Mission offers the following
recommendations for consideration by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission:
a) The ZEC needs to pursue the legal reforms that are necessary to minimise
the risk that arises from the following operations. These include but are not
limited to:
(i) Increase the inspection period of the voters roll and make the roll
available at polling stations ahead of polling day.
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e) The ZEC should provide clear regular updates to the electorate and
stakeholders during polling day, and in the period up the announcement of
results.
10. CONCLUSION
The 2023 harmonised elections were conducted within a context shaped by the
legal framework which largely constrained the technical and operational aspects
of the ZEC’s work. The Mission, however, acknowledged the efforts of the ZEC
to propose reforms that were not adopted ahead of the 2023 elections.
The Mission congratulates the people of Zimbabwe on the manner in which they
conducted themselves throughout the electoral period, despite the logistical
challenges experienced during the process.
a) The contesting political parties and their supporters are commended for
their spirit of tolerance during the electoral period.
b) As the electoral process has not concluded, the people of Zimbabwe are
encouraged to use the available legal means should they not be satisfied
with the election outcome.
Signed and released on this 25th day of August 2023, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Mphasa MOKHOCHANE
Mission leader, 2023 Harmonised Elections of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries
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