Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

ZESN commends decision to accredit its observers, seeks access to postal balloting
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
March 16, 2008

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) commends the decision by the Minister of Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs to approve ZESN's request to observe the 29 March 2008 harmonized elections. ZESN notes that despite some administrative problems, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is moving rapidly to accredit all 11,000 of ZESN's anticipated observers. ZESN appreciates the speed with which this process is occurring. Accreditation could be even more efficient if decentralized to the provinces.

"ZESN commends the decisions to accredit our observers, but all observers, domestic and international, must have access to all parts of the electoral process, including postal balloting. We urge the ZEC to immediately provide access to all accredited international and domestic observer groups to all aspects of the postal balloting process" said Noel Kututwa, ZESN Chairperson.

ZESN, therefore, urges ZEC to immediately allow accredited domestic and international observer groups access to observe all aspects of the electoral process in particular postal balloting. For Zimbabweans to have confidence in the electoral process, the management of elections must be transparent and accountable. This will also enable the winners, regardless of political affiliation, to have the legitimacy to govern. Preventing accredited domestic and international observer groups from observing postal balloting reduces transparency and potentially creates the perception that there is something to hide.

Further while ZESN commends the ZEC for the release of a revised list of polling stations for Matabeleland North province (to correct minor problems with the initial list), ZESN continues to encourage the ZEC to increase the number of polling station in Bulawayo and Harare and other urban areas provinces. Noel Kututwa stated that "Increasing the number of polling stations in Bulawayo and Harare is critical to avoid confusion on election day and to ensure that every eligible voter has a reasonable opportunity to cast his or her ballot."

On Thursday 21 February 2008 it was reported in The Herald that the ZEC will establish 11,000 polling stations the 29 March 2008. However, the number of polling stations announced by the ZEC in the Saturday 08 March 2008 edition of The Herald was 8,212. In order to avoid confusion during voting or the need for additional days of voting, ZESN urges ZEC during the time remaining to increase the number of polling stations in Bulawayo and Harare provinces so that every Zimbabwean who wishes to vote in the 29 March harmonised elections will have a reasonable opportunity to do so.

Visit the ZESN fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP