adminCathrine Biswick and Muchaneta Chimuka
The Sadc Lawyers Association yesterday gave a qualified endorsement to the July 31 harmonised elections, describing the poll as peaceful and realistic expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe. “The organisation observed that the voting process was smooth and peaceful with no major incidences of violence and disturbances,” said Prof Michelo Hansungule, the head of mission of SADCLA.
The pronouncement follow that of the African Union and the Sadc Electoral Commissions Forum observer missions which endorsed the country’s harmonised poll as a true reflection of the will of the people.
Prof Hansungule said the run-up to the polls was conducive for the holding of democratic election while the voting process was transparent.
“We noted that the elections were held in an apparently peaceful manner and the voting process was transparent. The presence of the police played a role in assuring safety and order at polling stations,” he said.
Prof Hansungule said that despite earlier concerns raised over the presence of police officers at the polling stations , the observer team noted that the respective officers did not interfere with voting.
“The elections were done lawfully under the close watch of the election observers, party agents and electoral officers,” he said.
The SADCLA also gave ZEC a number of useful recommendations to enable it to improve the general conduct and administration of polls in future.
Sadc lawyers commended the electorate for showing political tolerance by desisting from violence.
SADCLA is an independent voluntary association made up of law societies and Bar Associations in the Sadc region.
Online Reporter