Zimbabwe has dismissed the European Union’s final report on the 2023 harmonised elections, which claimed that the polls were not free and fair. The government accused the EU observer mission of being biased and misleading and said the report was based on preconceived notions against the ruling Zanu PF party.
The EU observer mission, which was deployed in Zimbabwe for the first time since 2002, released its final report on Saturday, 18 November 2023, after more than two months of delay. The report said that the elections were marred by curtailed rights, lack of a level playing field, intimidation, and disorderly voting and counting processes. It also said that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) failed to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process and that the legal framework did not comply with international standards.
The report made several recommendations for improving the electoral system, such as revising the Electoral Act, enhancing the independence and accountability of ZEC, ensuring equal access to media and public resources, and strengthening the role of civil society and citizen observers.
However, the Zimbabwean government rejected the report as “predictable” and “unacceptable”. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the report was focused on “a closed episode of our national political cycle”, and that it ignored the positive developments that had taken place since the elections. He also accused the EU observer mission of colluding with other observer groups and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to discredit the election outcome.
Analysts also questioned the credibility and impartiality of the EU observer mission, saying that it had a history of interfering in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs and supporting regime change agendas. They said the report was based on false allegations and did not reflect the reality on ground. They pointed out that the elections were largely peaceful and calm, and that the results were endorsed by the majority of local and regional observers, as well as the Constitutional Court, which dismissed a petition by the CCC leader Nelson Chamisa challenging the presidential election.
The analysts urged the government and the people of Zimbabwe to focus on the national development agenda and the implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which aims to achieve an upper middle-income status by 2030. They also called for dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders, including the opposition, to address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The 2023 harmonised elections were held on 23 August 2023 and saw the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zanu PF winning 52.6 per cent of the vote, while Chamisa of CCC came second with 44 per cent. Zanu PF also retained its majority in both houses of parliament, while the CCC emerged as the main opposition party.
Source: The Herald
