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Update on vote recounts
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
April 22, 2008

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has been closely monitoring the controversial recounts that have been ongoing for the last three (3) days across the country. ZLHR notes with considerable concern the following unfolding issues in the recounting;

Firstly, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had widely circulated notices informing that the recounts will be conducted on 19 April 2008. Without prior notice to critical stakeholders, ZEC announced that recounting of votes will be conducted over an unascertainable number of days. Local and foreign observers, political parties' agents and other stakeholders have been forced to withdraw from the recount centres due to logistical problems of the unending and non-time bound recounts. Absence of local, regional and or international observers casts further aspersions at the legitimacy and transparency of the electoral and recounting processes which are already littered with complaints and counter complaints.

Secondly, accessibility of the recounting centres has proved difficult for certain categories of observers. The Electoral Act provides that accredited observers and political parties representatives are entitled to be present during recounting; ZLHR continues to receive reports from observers especially the media fraternity and representatives of certain political parties who have been barred from the recounting centres with the acquiescence or non-intervention of ZEC officials. In instances where observers were allowed access, the presence and demeanor of identified political heavy weights, police and ZEC officers who reportedly harassed and intimidated observers made the environment hostile

Thirdly, ZLHR notes the continuing flagrant disregard of provisions of the Electoral Act that guide any recount process. Requests by opposition candidates to be furnished with written letters of complaints and recounts as stipulated in section 67A (2) of the Electoral Act were ignored by ZEC. The queries raised remain largely unanswered.

Fourthly, ZLHR condemns the overwhelming presence of police officers in the electoral and recounting processes. On average, at least 70 police officers remain stationed at each of the recounting centres. The presence of police officers at recounting centres has the effect of intimidating polling officers and presiding officers. ZLHR has received reports that the anomalies noted during the recounting have resulted in the police swiftly arresting presiding officers suspected of having committed electoral malpractices. At one particular recounting centre three presiding officers had been reportedly arrested by 21 April 2008.

At some centres, the process of recounting has been further stalled due to power cuts. Alternative forms of reliable lighting have not been readily available. The recounting has been notoriously slow in an environment of increasing anxiety, violence and harassment of perceived supporters of the opposition, with alleged active involvement of senior members of the ruling party. ZLHR therefore urges ZEC to move with speed and complete the recount, to salvage any remaining semblance of impartiality, transparency and in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

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