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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Delay
in the announcement of the election results
Zimbabwe Human
Rights NGO Forum
April 04, 2008
The Zimbabwe Human Rights
NGO Forum (the Forum) would like to echo the sentiments raised by
civil society in its petition to SADC Heads of State dated 1 April
2008, wherein civics called for the swift announcement of the election
results.
The Forum has monitored
events in Zimbabwe as these have unfolded in the run up to the elections.
Furthermore, the Forum observed proceedings on Election Day itself
and has continued to do so to date. While the Forum is aware of
the logistical difficulties associated with computing results of
an election of this magnitude, it is of the firm view that the current
delay is unjustifiable, particularly given that the verification
of all results, and the posting at ward and constituency levels
had been completed by 30 March 2008. The manner in which the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) has elected to announce the outcome of
the polls has resulted in mounting tensions and growing speculation
that the will of the people might have been subverted with the election
results having been distorted.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights
NGO Forum therefore appeals to ZEC to release the remaining election
results without any further delay, particularly the much anticipated
results for the presidential election. Furthermore, the Forum requests
that ZEC make available all relevant documentation to allow for
an audit of the ballot to clarify any discrepancies between the
figures announced by Election Command Central and the official results
posted at polling station. In particular, it is critical that ZEC
makes public all results, including the results of the individual
polling stations and the collated results from the constituency
command posts. Such a process would be in line with international
best practice, and by so doing put to rest any fears that the will
of the people was or is being subverted.
Visit the Zimbabwe
Human Rights NGO Forum factsheet
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