SADC describes Zimbabwe elections 'free and peaceful harmonised'

Observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) called Zimbabwe elections "free and peaceful harmonized," and urged all political parties to respect and accept the election results. Head of the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM) to Zimbabwe elections, Bernard Membe said in a statement reach Xinhua on Friday that the electoral process was characterized by an atmosphere of peace and political tolerance. "Political parties and candidates were able to freely undertake their political activities unhindered... A new chapter in the process of consolidation of democracy in the Republic of Zimbabwe has been opened, and we hope that the people of Zimbabwe will work together to build their country," said Membe who is also the Foreign Minister of Tanzania. He said the mission observed that the majority of polling stations were opened at 07:00 in the presence of party agents, observers and police officers, and voting materials were available at the polling stations at the time of opening and the necessary pre-polling procedures were conducted appropriately. However, Membe said there were isolated instances where the ballot booklets had missing ballot papers. "ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) informed that the matter of the missing papers was receiving their attention and could be attributed to a printing error." The mission head by Membe also found that in some polling stations, some voters were refused to vote regardless of being in possession of registration slips. Membe said that most polling stations closed at 19:00 in line with the Electoral Act and that ZEC extended voting time for those who were still in the queue by 19:00. "The mission observed that in general, voting took place in a free and peaceful environment and ZEC staff conducted themselves professionally," he added. As for the counting, Membe said it began immediately at the polling stations after closing of the polls, and was conducted procedurally and transparently. Party agents, local and international observers witnessed the counting of votes in the polling stations, and "the counting process went well." He said in the course of observing the elections, the mission noted that there was general adherence to the relevant national legal instruments and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. He said he therefore would like to urge the political leadership and all the people of Zimbabwe to uphold peace and stability. "SEOM wishes to implore all Zimbabweans to exercise restraint, patience and calm. The future of your country is in your hands," Membe said, calling on all political parties to respect and accept the election results. "Whoever is aggrieved with the results, should not resort to violence, but rather should go to the court of law, or engage in dialogue." SEOM was officially launched in Harare on July 15, 2013 with the deployment of 573 observers in Zimbabwe.