adminand journalists that at least 18 000 local observers and 1 500 foreign observers had to date been accredited.
The foreign observer groups, which are already in the country, include the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa, Sadc Parliamentary Forum and non-governmental organisations such as Sadc Electoral Support Network and Sadc Electoral Advisory Council.
“The date for closing of applications will be four days before the elections,” said Mrs Kazembe.
Local embassies have also been allowed to select a maximum of five observers to participate in the elections.
A host of local NGOs and church organisations from across the country’s 10 provinces have also been given the green light to observe the process.
There has been pressure on the Government to allow a host of observers from across the world to enhance the transparency and credibility of the process. But the Government has in no uncertain terms declared that it will not allow observers from hostile countries. President Mugabe said last week only observers from friendly countries in Asia, Latin America as well as Africa would be accredited.
The United States and the European Union were particularly barred from taking part in the process as they imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, which compromised their neutrality.
The observers will be deployed across the 9 650 polling stations that have been established across the 1 958 wards in the country.
Meanwhile, Mrs Kazembe said a total of 294 local journalists and 28 foreign journalists had also been accredited for the process. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter