Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Election Commission has been urged to administer By-Elections set for this weekend in a manner that further promotes confidence and trust in the electoral process.
In a joint statement, election watchdogs the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said they would deploy approximately 400 trained and accredited observers across 28 constituencies to observe the 26 March By-Elections.
According to the election watchdogs this was part of their commitment to support democratic development and promote credible, transparent, and accountable electoral processes in Zimbabwe.
“ERC and ZESN will use complementary observation methodologies to provide citizens and key stakeholders with accurate, independent, timely, and credible information on the election process.
“Further, ERC and ZESN seek to ensure that these elections are transparent, inclusive, and accountable and will observe on a nonpartisan basis for all Zimbabweans.
“ERC and ZESN observers were carefully recruited from local communities following strict criteria and adhering to gender balance,” the statement reads.
These observers underwent a thorough training program on the conduct of the elections, direction on what to observe, and when to report on Election Day.
“Additionally, observers signed a code of conduct acknowledging that they were non-partisan. ZESN and ERC will produce statements, based on the verified reports of observers on the opening and set up of polling places as well as voting, closing and counting procedures,” the statement reads.
During the pre-election period ERC and ZESN reported issues of intimidation, violence, and partisan activities of state and traditional leaders.
“Ahead of the 26 March By-Elections, ERC and ZESN call on all key stakeholders, including political parties, security actors, and voters to contribute to respect and uphold the political rights of all individuals which are enshrined in Section 67 of the Constitution including the right to make political choices freely and the right to vote in all elections and to do so in secret on election day.
“ERC and ZESN recognise the unique contribution that all electoral stakeholders need to make in order for the 26 March by-elections to be successful and therefore urges the security forces to discharge their duties professionally and political parties to refrain from using language that may incite violence.”
Out of the 28 parliamentary seats up for grabs in tomorrow’s by election, 20 were won by the MDC-A in 2018, 18 fell vacant by recalls, 2 by death, while 7 were won by Zanu PF in 2018; 5 fell vacant by death, 1 by recal and 1 by resignation; the NPF’s1 seat fell vacant by death.
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