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Preliminary press statement for the urban council elections, Harare and Makonde parliamentary by-elections
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
August 29, 2003

With a day to go before voting begins in urban council elections and parliamentary by-elections, ZESN notes with concern that the pre-election period to the urban council elections was by no means peaceful. We also note that as of today no information or publication of polling stations has been done by the Registrar General's office. This means that voters are not aware where they will be voting at in different centres in. This omission is a betrayal of the electorate looking forward to participate in the elections.

In Kwekwe, Karoi and Kariba, clashes between ZANU PF and MDC were reported from as early as May 2003. Our long-term observers reported that the Mutare MDC Mayoral candidate was allegedly assaulted by suspected ZANU PF youths. Reports received by ZESN also showed that there were clashes between ZANU PF and the MDC in Gwanda ahead of the forthcoming urban council and mayoral elections. Still in Gwanda, we are also concerned by the alleged reports that the aspiring ZANU PF mayor, Rido Mpofu, does not have the needed credentials as given in the Urban Councils Act. According to section 103H of the Act, any person who seeks to stand in the mayoral polls must have at least a GCE O'level certificate with passes in at least five subjects, including English language. ZESN calls on the Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary affairs to closely look into this issue. Any doubts over the credibility of contesting candidates will have the effect of people losing confidence is such a process.

In Makonde constituency, reporters indicate that people were forcefully marched to attend ZANU PF meetings. ZESN observers also indicate that the environment in Makonde was so tense that no meaningful campaigns by the opposition took place.

ZESN notes that in Bindura, Chegutu and Rusape there will be no elections at all as no other candidates apart from ruling party, ZANU PF candidates were nominated. Whilst in Bulawayo, Kadoma, Kariba Marondera, Ruwa, Shurugwi and Victoria Falls there will be no elections in some wards. We note with concern that, violence that preceded and also took place on the nomination day itself invariably prevented other candidates from registering. ZESN re-emphasises that intimidation and violence has no place in any election, it only infringes and suppresses the electorate's right to legitimately exercise their voting rights.

ZESN also observed that the inspection of the voters' roll, as usual, took place against the background of an electoral environment largely controlled by state organs. As usual, the personnel conducting the voters' roll inspection were civil servants reporting to the Registrar General who is also a civil servant. As such, the problem of the voters' roll remains one of the most serious and perennial problems of elections in Zimbabwe.

ZESN notes that the issue of proof of residence as a requirement during inspection of the voters' roll remains a problem. Most aspiring voters especially young voters still dependent or living with their parents were turned away as the Registrar of elections demanded proof of residence which many could not produce. This disenfranchised many Zimbabweans. For rural and farm residents, in the case of Makonde, there was need for confirmation by the village head or farm owner, thereby leaving discretion to the village head or farm owner to say he/she knew the intending voter or not.

An assessment of the problems indicate, among other things like voting rights, the electorate was also ill-informed on who was eligible to vote, especially those in farms and mines who were affected by the amended Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act. We are concerned that some names were omitted from the voters' roll, including names of those who had already registered and had also voted in the last 2002 Presidential and 2000 Parliamentary elections. The opposition was also never given any time on national television.

We note that the recent centralisation of food distribution by the government especially at election time tilts the balance of power in favour of the ruling party. Many reports have been received were food distribution has been done along partisan and political lines.

It is clear that the pre-election period was marked by many stumbling blocks to the attainment of free and fair elections. After an analysis of the voters' roll inspection exercise, the nomination courts procedures and results as well as the general political atmosphere in the run-up to the elections, ZESN fears the many irregularities that characterised the pre-election period compromised SADC Parliamentary Forum Norms and Standards of free and fair elections.

Despite the irregularities ZESN urges all registered voters in Harare Central, Makonde and all towns where urban council elections will be held to go and vote on the 30th and 31st of August in their respective constituencies. ZESN managed to field 24 long term observers in all towns where elections are due, five long term observers in the Makonde constituency and two long term observers in Harare Central constituency.

Ms Sarah Helen Chiumbu
ZESN National Vice Chairperson

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