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Pre-election Update No. 3: 22 January to 6 February 2008
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
February 06, 2008

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Executive Summary
ZESN continued to monitor the pre-election period ahead of the harmonized elections scheduled for 29 March 2008. The major highlights of this period were the various proclamations and gazette notices pertaining to the election date, inspection of the voters roll, nomination court and delimitation of constituency and ward boundaries. President Mugabe announced that elections would go ahead on 29 March 2008.

Another notable event was the announcement by ZANU PF politburo member Simba Makoni that he would contest the presidency as an independent candidate. Makoni's announcement caught the country by surprise considering that ZANU PF had given the nation the impression that President Mugabe had been unanimously 'endorsed' as the party's candidate. However his entrance into the presidential race will no doubt give the electorate broader choice of representatives in this election.

There were also media reports that former Minister of Information Jonathan Moyo and former Harare South legislator Margaret Dongo had filed court papers challenging the nomination court date that had been set by President Mugabe.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) also announced that the inspection of the voters' roll would be conducted between 1 and 7 February 2008. Inspection was to be conducted countrywide at an estimated 5000 inspection centers. This however was subsequently extended to 14 February 2008.

None of the ZESN observers countrywide reported seeing any ZEC voter educators in their respective constituencies prior to the commencement of the inspection period. These voter educators were only dispatched at the beginning of the inspection exercise.

There was heightened political activity especially with both the MDC and ZANU PF carrying out their primary elections. The MDC (Tsvangirai) also held its 'Freedom March' on Wednesday 23 January 2008. The police sanctioned and then stopped the march arguing that they had evidence that it would turn violent.

ZESN observers reported that the inspection of the voters' roll had started on time in most constituencies although there were logistical challenges in various areas. Most people registered during the inspection were not issued instantly at the inspection centre with registration certificates and hence do not have any proof that they were registered as voters. They were constantly told to come the following day. ZESN observers also noted that prospective voters were being unnecessarily being turned away at some centers despite having the requisite documents.

Both ZANU PF and the MDC held their primary elections but there were however complaints of the imposition of candidates in some constituencies in both parties. MDC did not have primary elections where they had sitting MPs except for few constituencies as Budiriro and Mabvuku-Tafara.

ZESN observers in Chinhoyi, Makonde and Zhombe also reported cases of vote buying during ZANU PF primary elections in various wards. Most aspiring councilors were selling scarce commodities such as soap, cooking oil and sugar to the electorate at heavily discounted prices.

Most traditional leaders continued to play a partisan role in the elections. Some civil society organizations were able to carry out their activities without hindrance.

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