ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK

Civic Society Statement on the Impending Referendum and Elections

Vumba - 29 October 2010 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network the leading
independent network on elections in Zimbabwe convened a conference in Vumba
– Leopard Rock Hotel which brought together various organisations and
partners working on elections to deliberate on electoral issues in light of
the possible referendum on the new constitution and elections in 2011.

The conference was held under the theme: 'Enhancing Mutual Cooperation and
Interaction on election Related activities amongst CSOs.'

Ninety participants attended the conference and deliberated on Zimbabwe’s
preparedness for a referendum and elections in which they noted that the
environment was not conducive for holding democratic elections particularly
considering the following:

- The political environment remains highly volatile, uncertain, and tense.
The polarized environment-does not favor holding of elections as violence
would most likely erupt.
- The GNU has not repealed repressive legislation such as the Public Order
Security Act (POSA), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(AIPPA) and the Broadcasting Services Act.
- These Acts have restricted people’s civil liberties and freedoms of
expression and association and they are inimical to the holding of free and
fair elections.
- Institutions and infrastructure that support violence such as the Youth
militia, war veterans and a partisan security force remain unreformed and
therefore a threat to democratic elections.
- The safety of human rights defenders and activists remains an issue of
concern as this curtails the oversight function of civic society.

Civic society organisations represented therefore demanded the following:

- A total end and denunciation of politically related violence and
prosecution of the perpetrators of all forms of political violence.
- That SADC ensures a non violent, free and fair election that respects the
will of the people of Zimbabwe.
- That, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) be capacitated and
resourced to improve its ability to manage elections efficiently and
effectively.
- That there is need for complete overhaul and restructuring of ZEC
secretariat with a view to reform the institution into a professional body
that is non-partisan.
- That ZEC be in charge of all electoral processes including voter
registration and control, compile and update of voters’ rolls.
- That the ZEC be a truly independent electoral body that is accountable.
- That there is need to do an overhaul review of the voters’ roll before
the next elections
- That media freedoms be restored and guaranteed particularly the
liberalization of the state media and licensing of independent radio and
television stations.
- That police presence should be limited to outside the polling station
where incidences of violence are most likely to occur.
- That the Presidential powers and temporary measures Act be made of no
effect during election time as it gives unfair advantage to one particular
political party.
- That, the right of assembly be restored and guaranteed.
- That, the legislative framework for the elections be clarified as quickly
as possible, while ensuring the greatest possible degree of consensus
between election stakeholders and participation of relevant local and
international organizations.
- The elections be administered at every level in an impartial and
professional manner.
- Parties in the inclusive government look at the interests and fears of
the security chiefs and open negotiations with them with a view of making
sure that they do not interfere with the electoral process.
- That the inclusive government ensures that a national election
communication centre is set up and accessible to all political players and
stakeholders and that results be announced as they come from the various
centres before there is any possibility for manipulation by those with
access to the process.
- Civic society also demanded reforms that provide for early accreditation
and the safety of local and international observers.
- The role of inviting and accrediting of all observers should fall under
the election management body. Adequate numbers of observers need to be
accredited early (as soon as proclamation is done) and deployed to all areas
of the country.
- The election should be monitored and supervised by regional and
international bodies such as SADC, the African Union and United Nations who
are present well in advance of the polls, and post-polling day.
- Emphasis was on the need for transparency in all processes of the
elections which include; results management and announcement, transparency
in the production of ballot materials and processing of special and postal
votes.
- Participation of diaspora in the electoral process.
- Guarantee of peace and mechanisms that ensure flawless installation of
winners into government.

With a view of improving future elections, CSOs proposed that reforms are a
matter of urgency and imperative before elections are held. The present
environment does not provide a conducive environment for the holding of
democratic elections. Nevertheless, if need be, ZESN and CSOs are ready and
remain committed to monitor the process and advocate for minimum conditions
before the Referendum and next elections through effective coordinated
interventions.

ORGANISATIONS IN ATTENDANCE

1. Achieve Your Goal Trust
2. Bulawayo Agenda
3. Bulawayo People Residents Association
4. Civic Education Trust Network
5. Christian Alliance
6. Combined Harare Residents Association
7. Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe
8. Centre for Research and Development
9. Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe
10. Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa
11. Counseling Services Unit
12. Elections Resource Centre
13. Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe
14. Habakkuk Trust
15. Heal Zimbabwe
16. Human Rights Development Trust in Southern Africa
17. Law Society of Zimbabwe
18. Kubatana
19. Matabeleland Constitution Reform Agenda
20. National Association of Non – Governmental Organisations
21. Media Centre
22. Media Institute for Southern Africa
23. Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe
24. National Association for the Care of the Handicapped
25. National Constitutional Assembly
26. Public Affairs Parliamentary Support Trust
27. Progressive Teachers Association Zimbabwe
28. Research and Advocacy Unit
29. Restoration of Human Rights
30. Radio Dialogue
31. Rooftop Promotions
32. SAYWHAT
33. Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust
34. Transparency International – Zimbabwe
35. VERITAS
36. Women’s Coalition – Zimbabwe
37. Women of Zimbabwe Arise
38. Women’s Trust
39. Youth Agenda
40. Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe
41. Youth Empowerment and Transformation
42. Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
43. Zimbabwe Association of Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the
Offender
44. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
45. Zimbabwe Council of Churches
46. Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
47. Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust
48. Zimbabwe Election Support Network
49. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Right Association
50. Zimbabwe Peace Project
51. Zimbabwe Students Christian Movement
52. Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association
53. Zimbabwe Youth Network
54. Members of the Academia (University of Zimbabwe)
55. Resource persons from Kenya

Promoting Democratic Elections in Zimbabwe
For Comments and further details contact:
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
[email][email protected] or [email][email protected]
+263 250736/791443/798193
+263 712 415902 or 263 773 220370