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Zimbabwe: PAP Hails Polls As Free, Fair
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
9 May 2008
Posted to the web 9 May 2008
Harare
The Pan African Parliament Election Observer Team to the March 29 harmonised elections has presented its report to the continental parliament in which it endorsed the polls as free and fair.
Presenting the report to the parliament in Midrand, South Africa, on Wednesday, chairman of the PAP election observer mission Mr Marwick Khumalo said the elections were held in a free and fair atmosphere.
The observer team deployed more than 20 lawmakers from across Africa to Zimbabwe in the run-up to the elections. Zimbabwe, whose parliamentary session has not yet started, is being represented by Deputy Clerk of Parliament Ms Helen Dingane. In the report, PAP said it had held talks with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which assured the mission that the pending run-off would be held at the earliest possible time. However, the continental parliament bemoaned the delay by ZEC in announcing the presidential poll results, saying the commission had "lost control of the process".
PAP held several meetings with stakeholders during its tour of duty in the country and these included ZEC, political parties that were contesting the elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, civil society and the National Constitutional Assembly. ZEC has since announced the presidential election results in which none of the contestants emerged with an absolute majority to be declared outright winner.
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Consequently, a run-off would be held between the two candidates with the highest votes -- President Mugabe of Zanu-PF and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai. ZEC is yet to announce the date for the run-off.
The issue of election having been held in free and fair environment need not be overemphasised at this point in time. Matakadya kare haanyaradzi mwana. The peacefulness of that election seem to have had a very dreadful aftermath,judging from the torture people are experiencing now. Admittedly,the environment was peaceful but unfortunately most people who voted,especially those in areas where beatings are taking place, are regretting why they ever participated in the election,in the first place. To them 'Your vote is your voice" has changed to 'Your vote is your vice' They are surely feeling the grip of the vice now,leaving... [Read Full Text]
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