adminZvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
The International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute election observer mission in the July 30 harmonised elections has said in its final report to be officially released today that the polls demonstrated “substantive and incremental improvements” compared to previous ones.
The mission, which was co-headed by former Liberian President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, said Government’s public commitment and pronouncement of a free, fair and credible election was commendable.
“The joint International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission announce the release of its final report on the harmonised elections that took place on July 30, 2018,” said the mission.
“The report and its findings were part of a seven-month joint mission to observe all phases of the electoral process: pre-election, election day and the post-election period.
“Based on its observation and in the context of 18 years of repressed political rights, deepening economic pain and decades of deeply flawed elections, including sweeping electoral violence in 2008, the mission acknowledges that Zimbabwe has shown substantive, incremental improvements.
“Improvements noted by ZIEOM included a public commitment to credible elections, a more open political climate, welcoming of international observers, and a fresh voters roll.”
The mission regretted the post-election violence that rocked Harare in which six people died and a lot of property was destroyed.
The mission said it was keen to assisting Zimbabwe by providing a fair report in its assessments of the polls as they unfolded.
“Throughout the mission, NDI and IRI sought to express the international community’s interest in and support for credible, peaceful elections in Zimbabwe; provide an accurate and impartial report on the character of the election process to date; and offer appropriate recommendations to improve,” said the mission.
“The mission is grateful for the cooperation it received from all Zimbabweans with whom it interacted, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chair and election officials around the country, the leading presidential candidates, political party leaders, citizen election monitors and other civil society leaders.”
Online Reporter