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SADC praises Zim electoral process
Praise Matema, The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
April 01, 2008

http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/news/117/ARTICLE/2028/2008-04-01.html

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has issued a statement saying they are encouraged by the peaceful electoral process in Zimbabwe and commended the people of Zimbabwe for holding a 'peaceful and credible' election.

Speaking at a press conference in Harare, the head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM), José Marcos Barrica described the election process as "characterized by high levels of peace, tolerance and political vigor by party leaders, candidates and their supporters."

He also commended Chairman Justice George Chiweshe and chief inspector Jane Pamhidzirai, of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for their professionalism in delivering results to the people of Zimbabwe.

He said the whole ZEC team was very professional and not necessarily responding to international demands for a quick result.

Barrica however noted that "the elections were held against a background characterized by a highly tense and polarized international atmosphere where some quarters of the international community remain negative and pessimistic about Zimbabwe and its chances for credible elections."

"Supporters of different parties were wearing party regalia in shared public spaces and transport without any fear," Barricca said.

Barrica said his mission had noted and pursued concerns and allegations pertaining to bias on the part of both the private and public media, pronouncements by senior officers in the security forces, the presence of police officers at polling stations, and the delay in the publication of the voters' roll.

"Despite the mammoth logistical challenges that these harmonised elections brought to bear on all concerned, ZEC demonstrated high levels of professionalism, resilience and hard work in organising these complex elections," Barrica said

He added: "The voting process was meticulously witnessed by observers and party agents. The polling stations generally opened and closed at the prescribed times and voters behaved in an orderly manner and exercised their franchise peacefully, freely and unhindered."

SEOM also noted that there was an acceptable level of political maturity in Zimbabwe which created a peaceful atmosphere and high levels of political tolerance in which supporters of different parties could conduct their activities.

On the fairness of the elections, the mission noted that the use of translucent ballot boxes and the presence of observers and party agents at polling stations in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, ensured a transparent and credible process.

The Mission said all political parties and their leaders should urge their supporters to accept the outcome of elections and not to resort to violence if the results do not go in their favor.

"It is SADC's greatest hope that the spirit of co-operation and political tolerance which prevailed thus far, will continue to thrive amongst all parties and candidates in the post election phase. The greatest winner here must be the people of Zimbabwe and hence we call on all political parties to accept the election results. Any further queries and concerns should be pursued in line with the laws of the country."

SEOM consisted of 163 members from 11 of the other 13 member states, namely Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. sardc.net

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe government has warned the opposition against claiming a victory in elections they have not yet won. They said the announcement that they had won the election was tantamount to a coup de'tat and would be treated as such.

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