The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and Government
recently invited local and international observers to observe the country’s
polls.
The European Union has deployed its team to observe the
country’s elections.
Government has assured the world that the country’s polls
will be held in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The invitation to the
country of observer missions is a testimony that Government has nothing to
hide.
International observer missions have already given the
thumbs up to the preparatory work that the country has made ahead of the polls.
The country is witnessing peaceful campaigns with political
parties canvassing for votes without any restriction.
In a statement, AU Commission chairperson Mr Moussa Faki
Mahamat said they will be deploying an AU and Comesa election observer mission
(EOM) to Zimbabwe for the elections.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr Moussa Faki
Mahamat
“The joint AU-Comesa EOM, comprising 73 short-term
observers and three core team of electoral experts, are set to observe the
elections from 16 to 29 August 2023. The joint mission will be led by His
Excellency, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck
Jonathan in collaboration with Rt Hon Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime
Minister of the Republic of Uganda,” he said.
AU said the objective of the observer mission is to provide
accurate and impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the harmonised
elections.
This includes observing the degree to which the conduct of
the elections meets regional, continental, and international standards for
democratic elections.
“The observer team is expected to offer recommendations for
improvement of future elections based on the findings; and demonstrate AU’s
solidarity and support towards Zimbabwe’s election and democratisation process
to ensure that the conduct of democratic, credible and peaceful elections
contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability
in the country,” said Mr Mahamat.
He said the joint AU-Comesa EOM will engage with several
stakeholders and observe the final preparations and polling process.
The continental body said the observer mission will issue
its preliminary statement after the election date.
Mr Mahamat said their team will be guided by AU and Comesa
statutes governing the holding of elections whose aim is to promote good
governance and among other democratic tenets.
“The joint AU-Comesa EOM draws its mandate from various AU
and Comesa instruments, most importantly: (a) the African Union Guidelines for
Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002); (b) the OUA/AU
Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002);
African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981) and (c) African Charter on
Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), Comesa Elections Observation
Guidelines among others,” he said.
“It is also in line with Aspiration Number 3 of the AU
Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure good governance, democracy, and respect for
human rights, justice, and rule of law.” Chronicle
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