12/5/2023 0 Comments Observer dis archivesWe hope that there will be an expeditious outcome to this investigation. We learnt about the death of an opposition supporter earlier this month from a number of stakeholders, as was confirmed by the Commissioner General of Police, who advised that an investigation is still under way. We sensed a strong feeling of excitement among all the people we interreacted with. We observed that voters lists were visible, well placed, of high quality, arranged in alphabetical order, and accessible at polling stations, all of which made identification of voters easier. Throughout the voting process, we met professional, diligent and friendly election officials and security officers. On the electoral process, from our own observations, there was a peaceful pre-election atmosphere.We also liaised with citizen observers and other international observers in these locations.īefore I proceed to outline our key findings, let me also convey our Group’s intention to fully assess, in our final report, the level of implementation of recommendations proposed by the 2018 Commonwealth Observer Group to the Harmonised Elections, and reflect carefully on the way forward. We visited numerous polling stations in different constituencies and met voters, provincial, district and poll station electoral officials, political parties, the police, civil society and others in these locations to gain a deeper appreciation of the electoral process. In these locations, we observed the pre-election environment and preparations for the poll. On 21 August, our teams were deployed to Harare Metropolitan Province, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland. We also met the Commissioner of Police, representatives of civil society, citizen observers, faith-based organisations, women’s groups, youth, the media, the business community, the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and Commonwealth Ambassadors. We arrived in Harare on 16 August, and have engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the flagbearers and party representatives of several political parties, as well as an independent candidate. These same values are held dear by the Commonwealth: peace, democracy, the rule of law and good governance. As I stated at our Arrival Press Conference, we are here as friends of Zimbabwe, and it is my hope that our presence affirms the unwavering support of the Commonwealth family to this country as it seeks to consolidate its democratic values. We are honoured by the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe to observe these elections. The final report, setting out our full findings on the entire process and our recommendations, will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General in due course. I will present the interim observations of the Commonwealth Observer Group on the electoral process thus far, noting that the tallying process is still ongoing. Thank you for coming to this Commonwealth Observer Group Press Conference. Ladies and Gentlemen, honourable members of the diplomatic corps, members of the press, other observers here present, ladies and gentlemen.
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