Sadc PF endorses referendum

It said the plebscite was held peacefully and transparently.
Addressing journalists in the capital, head of the mission His Royal Highness Prince Guduza Dlamini said the process was credible.
“Based on its overall findings, the Mission is of the view that there existed a substantially conducive and peaceful environment in which the Referendum was conducted,” said Prince Dlamini, who is also Speaker of Swaziland parliament.

“The Zimbabweans were accorded the opportunity to freely express their will in voting for a Referendum outcome of their choice.
“The Sadc PF Election Observer Mission to the 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution is therefore of the view that the 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution Referendum was, on the whole, credible reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”

On Sunday, Sadc election observer mission, Elected Commission Forum for Sadc countries, United States embassy in Harare and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network endorsed the referendum saying the process was credible.

Yesterday, Sadc PF Election Observer Mission lauded the country’s political leadership, Zimbabwe Electoral Commision, people of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders for the mature and “progressive” way they conducted themselves, prior, during and post the 2013 referendum.
Sadc PF noted concerns raised by some civil society stakeholders regarding ZEC’s refusal to accredit local observers from some non governmental organisations which are facing election-related crimes.

It was also noted that the legal framework within which ZEC was established and operated augured well for its autonomous functioning in line with norms and standards for election in the Sadc region and the Sadc Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections and other continental and international instruments.
“The Mission observed that notwithstanding the limited time frame and budget related constraints, ZEC was evidently prepared for the March 16, 2013 constitution referendum,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police was commended for rising to the occasion in maintaining law and order.
“The Mission further observed that the police were adequately prepared to perform their duties during the referendum as evidenced by the presence of police officers at all the polling stations visited by the Mission’s teams,” said Prince Dlamini.

“This also contributed to the general calm and peaceful environment that existed in the country during the referendum process.”
On conflict resolution mechanism, the mission was of the view that the effectiveness of a multi-party liaison commitee could be strengthened by broadening membership to include other stakeholders such as the police and civil society representatives and also making the committee a permanent inter-electoral stakeholder conflict resolution framework as opposed to just constitute them before elections.