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Mutsawashe Mashandure-Herald Correspondent
With official invitations to observe today’s election sent sufficiently in advance for arrangements to be made demonstrated good will on the part of the Zimbabwean Government and also indicated openness to the Zimbabwean electoral process across the political spectrum.
The Election Commission of Pakistan, as a foreign observer, came to Harare yesterday to observe today’s elections.
Pakistan and Zimbabwe are old friends and have a history of cooperation since the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 in varied sectors.
Ambassador of Pakistan Mr Shah Muhammed said he appreciated the invitation to observe elections.
“I am glad to inform you that we have been granted nationwide accreditation, through which we have unimpeded access to the pre- and post-election phases of harmonised elections, along with access to stakeholders. Also, we have freedom of movement to observe any polling station in the country, which will ensure representative observation, ” he said.
“I have seen some of the arrangements and the material prepared by the Zimbabwe Election Commission and believe that these elections are going to be the best organised elections in Zimbabwe, where voting will take place for the Presidential, National Assembly, and local bodies, “he added.
The Commissioner said the experience was a good learning curve
“We learned something from ZEC that we can hold all these elections in one go since, in Pakistan, we have separate elections for national, provincial, and local bodies. I believe that it will be a good experience for us to learn from these harmonised elections and make new friends,” he said.
Mr Shah Muhammed appreciated the government and the people of Zimbabwe for organising these harmonised general elections in 2023 and wished Zimbabwe all the best.
I would also like to meet the Commissioner, Mr Rodney Kiwa, and propose exchanges between the two election commissions of Pakistan and Zimbabwe, share our good practises, and, if possible, train officials for the elections. I am sure we can learn a lot from each other,” he added.
I would like to congratulate the government and the people of Zimbabwe for organising these harmonised general elections in 2023 and wish Zimbabwe all the best.
Online Reporter