Election reform needed, say poll observers

Independent electoral observers have noted with concern "serious anomalies in the conduct" of the latest by-elections in Zimbabwe, prompting them to call for an independent electoral commission and impartial enforcement of voting laws. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), an umbrella body of 36 civic organisations, fielded 34 observers in the weekend by-elections at Kuwadzana and Highfield constituencies of the capital, Harare. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change won both seats. ZESN's report on the polls said "the pre-election period was marred by violence, visible vote buying and the failure of the registrar-general's office to release the voters' roll to contesting candidates in time". "The actual polling days were characterised by vote buying, violence, abductions of observers and party polling agents, intimidation, denial of access to the polling stations by accredited observers... Also of grave concern was the disruption of the voting process by the riot police on the second day of polling in Kuwadzana," ZESN added. On the last day of polling at Kuwadzana, ZESN had to withdraw its observers an hour before the end of polling "due to security considerations as the riot police were throwing teargas and bashing people". Such events "denied citizens their right to freely choose their leaders", the organisation said. However, the official Herald newspaper quoted authorities as saying the two days of voting were peaceful and without incident. Electoral Supervisory Commission spokesman Thomas Bvuma was quoted as saying the situation was peaceful at all polling stations in both constituencies. Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the situation had been very calm. "We did not receive any adverse report during the voting days and we commend the voters for displaying a high level of maturity," the Herald quoted him as saying. But Dr Reginald Machaba-Hove told IRIN that ZESN was concerned about the conduct of the weekend by-elections as three more by-elections were on the horizon. The rural Mashonaland West constituency of the late higher education minister Dr Swithun Mombeshora was to be contested, as well as two more Harare constituencies. Machaba-Hove told IRIN elections would most likely be held on the same day in the MDC Zengeza constituency of Tafadzwa Musekiwa, who resigned his seat, and the Harare Central constituency of Mike Auret, who has been suffering ill health and decided to quit. Ahead of these by-elections, ZESN called on the authorities to enforce electoral laws. "We also urge Zimbabwe to abide by the SADC [Southern African Development Community] and other international electoral norms and standards which Zimbabwe is party to," the organisation said in its report. "In view of all these anomalies that have become part of our election [processes], we re-emphasise our call for an independent electoral commission, and the need for electoral laws that encourage citizens to participate freely and peacefully in any elections," ZESN added.