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March 2005 Parliamentary Elections - Day 1: Preliminary Press Statement
Dr R. Matchaba-Hove, Chairperson, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
March 31, 2005

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of 35 non-governmental organizations, managed to field about 6000 local observers for the historical 2005 Parliamentary elections.

These elections come against the backdrop of the SADC Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections of August 2004, as well intense lobbying for electoral reforms by notable civic organizations in Zimbabwe. This has seen the Government coming up with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act (ZEC) and the Electoral Act. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act (ZEC) establishes the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to run the elections. This is in addition to the Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) and the Delimitation Commission. However this set up does not comply with the SADC Principles which stress the need for one independent electoral management body.

In addition the ZEC Act also requires local non-governmental organizations involved in voter education to get approval from ZEC. However, ZESN is happy to report that it was given the green light by ZEC to proceed with voter education.
We are also not entirely happy with the way delimitation of constituencies was conducted, long before the inspection of the voters' roll.

For the first time in Zimbabwe's electoral history the Electoral Act, introduces some positive changes, amongst them voting in one day, counting in situ, the use of translucent ballot boxes, establishment of the Electoral Court, the use of visible ink and the abandonment of the mobile polling stations.

In line with the SADC Principles, there were also attempts to improve access to the public broadcaster by political parties in the run up to the 2005 Parliamentary Elections. The Government of Zimbabwe introduced the Broadcastings Services Regulations (Access to the Media) which entitled all political parties equal opportunities to freely campaign and air their views. However, these changes were introduced rather late and only applied to the electronic media.

Also, of concern to ZESN, were the prohibitive fees for access to the advertising slots during prime time for both radio and television. Further, access to the media should not be restricted to the electoral periods but should be the norm at all times.

Also, other existing pieces of legislation such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) have curtailed citizens' rights to freedom of expression, movement, association and assembly in violation with the SADC Principles and Guidelines.

Polling Day
ZESN has observers posted at 87 percent of the country's 8 265 polling stations. ZESN has, in particular tried to cover rural polling stations. By 3.15pm, ZESN supervisors had visited 1 264 polling stations and reported that the voting process nationwide had been progressing smoothly and speedily amid general peace and tranquillity. The speedy processing of voters could be attributed to the introduction of the alphabetical voting system, where there are three voting booths at individual polling stations, as well as the increase in the number of polling stations.

Although most of the polling stations opened on time at 7am, ZESN, is however, concerned that despite being accredited, sixteen of its observers were denied access to certain polling stations in Mbare, Mabvuku, Hatfield, Chivhu, Chikomba, Hwange, Masvingo Central, Gutu South, Zaka East and West, Mwenezi, Chiredzi North, Silobela, Binga and Ngezi.
While the election has generally been peaceful, there have however been reports of minor incidents of intimidation and disruptions at Lupane, Kambuzuma, Bindura, Mutare Central, Mutare North, Zvimba North, Manyame, Makonde, Magwegwe and Lobengula polling stations.

ZESN also notes with concern that an average of 25 percent of voters were turned away nationwide, the highest being recorded in Midlands and Harare. Of those turned away, a significant number were either not aware of the new constituency boundaries or were turned away for failing to produce proper identification. This could be attributed to the lack of adequate voter education on the new constituency boundaries and the importance of inspecting the voters' roll ahead of the election

ZESN also observed that most of the presiding officers were aware of their functions although there were isolated cases of some presiding officers unlawfully turning away local observers.

The run up to this election, compared to the previous elections, is generally calm with minor cases of violence and intimidation. However, despite the assurance of adequate security during the counting process, sufficient and reliable lighting, it remains to be seen what contingency measures have been put in place to ensure the transparency and security of the counting process. ZESN will follow up the process and calls upon other stakeholders, political parties and interest groups to remain vigilant until the process is completed.

ZESN commends Zimbabweans for the peaceful election and hope that this will prevail in the post-election period.

Visit the ZESN fact sheet

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