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Presidential run-off election and parliamentary by-elections
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
June 05, 2008

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to advice the general public that preparations for the presidential run-off election and the three House of Assembly by-elections are at an advanced stage. The following are some of the issues that have been addressed by the Commission to date:

Training
The Commission held a training workshop for all its senior officers both at National and Provincial level. The workshop was aimed at reviewing the conduct of the 29 March, 2008 harmonized elections with a view of improving the manner in which the Presidential run-off election and the three House of Assembly by-elections will be held as well as improving /equipping participants' skills in the conduct and management of elections.

The training is scheduled to cascade down to all levels of the Commission's personnel i.e. constituency elections officers, presiding officers, polling officers and provincial and district logistics committee members all of whom should be abreast with the provisions of the Electoral Laws not only as they apply to them also as they apply to the conduct and management of elections generally. Candidates, election agents and observers are encouraged to attend these training workshops which will be held throughout the country at ZEC's provincial venues on dates to be advised by the Provincial Elections Officers.

Mobilisation of resources
The Commission has reactivated its National and Provincial Logistics Committees whose main function is to mobilize resources for the conduct of elections. The Committee look at issues such as the availability of election equipment (ballot boxes, Booths, tents etc), polling stations, personnel, transport, stationery etc. Work by these committees commenced on the 30th of May, 2008.

Multi-party liaison comittees
The multi-party liaison committees have been activated by the National Multi-party liaison committee having met twice so far and another meeting scheduled for 4 June, 2008. The main function of these committees is to resolve conflict between and among political parties and independent candidates contesting an election. The National Multi-party committee has come out in strong condemnation of political violence and resolved to urge the various supporters to desist from violent behaviour. Provincial, constituency and local authority multi-party liaison committee meetings are scheduled to commence their meetings soon. Members of these committees will be the chief election agents of the contesting candidates for the Presidential run-off election and the contesting parties and candidates and /or their representatives in respect of the three House of Assembly constituencies were by-elections are scheduled to take place.

Accreditation of observers
The accreditation of observers commenced on Monday the 2nd of June, 2008 and will be open to all persons wishing to observe the elections set for the 27th of June, 2008 until the date of the election. Accreditation is taking place at the Harare and Bulawayo Polytechnic Colleges. Foreign observers and journalists will be required to produce proof of invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs while local observers will be required to produce proof of invitation from the Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for accreditation. Local journalists will be required to produce valid accreditation from the Media and Information Commission for accreditation by ZEC.

Monitoring of the media
The Commission continues to monitor the coverage of the impending elections by the Media. ZEC would like to remind all media that we are in an election period and all media houses and personnel are expected to abide by the provisions of Part IVA of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act [Chapter 2:12] and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Media Coverage of Elections) Regulations, 2008, S.I. 33 of 2008, which legislation provides that election broadcasts and articles should be presented in a balanced, fair, complete and accurate manner.

Receipt and processing of postal ballot applications
ZEC has, in terms of section 71 of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], received applications for postal ballot papers for the Presidential run-off election and the by-elections to be held in Gwanda South, Pelandaba-Mpopoma and Redcliff House of Assembly constituencies. The processing of these applications commenced on the 3rd of June 2008, in Committee Room No. 6 at the Harare International Conference Centre from 8:00 a.a to 7:00 p.m. All political parties, independent candidates and observers have been invited to send representatives to observe the processing of these applications.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will continue to update the electorate as the progress it is making in preparing for the Presidential run-off election and the three House of Assembly by-elections

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