Maravi

Zim NGOs demand runoff in 21 days

Zim NGOs demand runoff in 21 days
By George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Friday May 09, 2008 [04:00]

THE civil society in Zimbabwe has demanded that the presidential runoff must be held within 21 days of the declaration of the results as outlined by the electoral Act. And the civil society has called for the immediate entry into Zimbabwe of expanded regional and international observer missions, especially those from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

Reacting to the delay in the announcement of the date for the presidential runoff by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) yesterday expressed concern over the delay.

"The delay has been unacceptable and, together with the arrest and detention of over 120 ZEC officers, the lack of transparency in the electoral process especially post-voting day, and the ever escalating retributive political violence, has ensured that this result is and remains disputed and of no value to those who voted on 29 March 2008 for a return to the rule of law, peace and democracy in Zimbabwe," the ZLHR stated. "Be that as it may, in line with the provisions of the electoral Act as amended, as no presidential candidate received an absolute majority on 29 March 2008, there is now need for a second election within 21 days of the declaration of the result by ZEC on 2 May 2008.

"Should the two presidential candidates agree to participate in the second election, there is a need to be clear on exactly what issues need to be addressed in order for such election to conform, at the most minimum level, to Zimbabwean constitutional and electoral norms and regional and international standards, most particularly the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections."

ZLHR called for the immediate cessation of all political violence especially at the local community level, by all state actors, and non-state actors acting with the acquiescence of the state.

ZHLR also stated that lawyers, medical practitioners and humanitarian organizations should be given immediate access to all victims of political violence to provide emergency and ongoing support services and to ensure their safety throughout the second election period and beyond.

They also called for the immediate entry of election observers into the country. "In addition, the ZEC must ensure that it complies strictly with its obligations in this regard and does not seek to unlawfully justify the further delay of this electoral process."

And the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) also called for the runoff to be held within 21 days.

"The law provides that 'where two or more candidates are nominated and no candidate receives a majority of the total number of valid votes cast, a second election" must be held within 21 days after the previous election", ZESN chairperson Noel Kututwa explained to The Post. "ZESN will continue to play its role in the observation of this election and the provision of independent information to all stakeholders.

The organisation will continue the deployment of its long-term observers and short-term observers across the country. The network cautions that duly accredited observers should be allowed to freely continue observing the election process."

Kututwa said ZESN would keep a close watch on the situation and called on the responsible authorities to guarantee the security of observers.

"In the run-up to the second round of the presidential poll, ZESN re-emphasises on the need for Zimbabwe to adhere to, and implement minimum conditions set out in SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections in this re-run and all subsequent elections," Kututwa said.

He also called for zero tolerance on the prevailing political violence. "We call upon political leaders to denounce political violence publicly. Furthermore, ZESN urges the police to act swiftly and decisively in dealing with the perpetrators in accordance with the law," said Kututwa.

Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, NEOCOLONIALISM, NGOs

posted by MrK @ 3:57 AM