THE SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY
OBSERVER MISSION

REPORT ON
THE 2005 ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

31 MARCH 2005

PLEASE NOTE:

A Supplement to this Report, containing the delegation’s observation of the Zimbabwean political background, the legislative framework and the electoral process, is available in the Office of the Clerk of the Papers.


REPORT ON
THE 2005 ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Contents

Introduction
The objectives of the Report
The nature, context and method of work of the mission

The pre-election period
Work and deployment of observers
Report submissions
Events and meetings
Political climate
Violations of the Electoral Law
Compliance with SADC guidelines
The media
Overview of the pre-election period
Preliminary conclusion

Polling Day
Introduction
Voting
Counting

Conclusion

Recommendations
INTRODUCTION

On the 31st of March 2005, the Republic of Zimbabwe held her sixth Parliamentary General Elections since Independence on 18 April 1980.

Following an invitation to the Republic of South Africa to send observers to witness these elections, Parliament constituted a 20-member delegation, (hereinafter referred to as the Mission), under the leadership of the hon M T Goniwe, with the mandate of observing the 2005 Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections.

The Mission was constituted for purposes of:

(a) Assessing whether conditions in Zimbabwe allowed for the conducting of elections that would demonstrate the general will of the Zimbabwean electorate;
(b) Assessing whether Zimbabwean voters would have sufficient freedom to cast their votes in secret;
(c) Assessing whether the elections were conducted within the context of the Zimbabwean Constitution and the electoral legislative framework;
(d) Assisting the people of Zimbabwe, within the context of the African Renaissance, the African experience and reality, to hold successful parliamentary elections.

In brief, Parliament tasked the Mission to, on its behalf, observe, support and work together with the people of Zimbabwe as they prepared and exercised their democratic right to elect parliamentary representatives of their choice.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT

The Report seeks to indicate:

1. Whether the purpose of the Mission was achieved;
2. Whether in doing so, the Constitutional and legislative framework of Zimbabwe was adhered to;
3. Whether, in our view, the will of the people of Zimbabwe has been demonstrated through the elections; and
4. The extent to which our conclusions are based on verifiable data that is presented concisely - including possible recommendations.

THE NATURE, CONTEXT AND METHOD OF WORK OF THE MISSION

1. The Mission was a united delegation representing Parliament and the people of South Africa. The Mission was constituted by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa in order to allow South Africans, through their representatives, to play a role in supporting their Zimbabwean neighbours to exercise freely their democratic right to choose their parliamentary representatives.

2. In addition to being a Mission of the South African Parliament, the Mission’s outlook was also informed by the regional context in which both Zimbabwe and South Africa are members.

3. More significantly, for South Africa, the parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe have a bearing on the continent’s political and economic initiatives represented by, inter alia, the African Union and its development programme, NEPAD.

4. The parliamentary elections, therefore, took place at a crucial moment in the history of the African continent.

5. A further circumstance characterizing the current political environment with regard to Zimbabwe, is the hostile international and regional media environment, which is grossly biased, prejudiced and partisan against the government. State print media is, on the other hand, pro-government pro-ruling party.

6. In the execution of its mandate, the Mission recognized the sovereignty of the Zimbabwean state and observed the elections in an independent and non-partisan manner.

7. The Mission observed all aspects of the elections, beginning with the pre-election period, polling day and counting, as well as the political mood after the elections.

8. The Mission familiarized itself with the Zimbabwean electoral processes, laws, regulations and the Constitution of the land, obtaining relevant information from electoral bodies including the Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

9. The mission, through its leadership, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr Robert Mugabe. It also paid a courtesy call on the president of the MDC, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.

10. The mission, collectively or through its leadership, also interacted with various role players and stakeholders in the electoral process. There were also meetings with Zanu-PF, the MDC, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the Zimbabwe Crisis Coalition, the Electoral Supervisory Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the media, and candidates contesting various const ituencies.

11. The Mission collected data through attending rallies and meetings called by the contesting candidates and other relevant stakeholders.

12. The Mission travelled to various provinces of Zimbabwe during the pre-election observation period. On polling day, in accordance with the laws of the country, the Mission had access to polling stations and counting centres throughout the country.

13. The Mission recorded its observations and referred concerns raised to appropriate authorities.

14. The Mission issued public statements where it deemed necessary it to do so.

15. The Mission interacted with representatives of other observer missions, including the African Union (AU) and the SADC Observer Mission.

16. The Mission assessed the role of the media in the electoral pr ocess.



THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD

Five (5) political parties and fourteen (14) independent candidates contested the 2005 Parliamentary Elections. Zanu-PF and the MDC contested all the constituencies.

Zanu-PF focused its campaign on the anti-colonialist political strategy (Anti-British), the completion of the land reforms and on the successful economic turnaround with its emphasis on the "Look East" policy.

The MDC concentrated its campaign on Zimbabwe’s economic crisis, accusing the government of mismanagement, corruption and cronyism. It encouraged the people of Zimbabwe to vote for the MDC and promised to deal more equitably with the current land distribution issue.

The two main campaigns took place in a calm and peaceful political climate. There were isolated cases where meetings were described as having been "tense but without incident".

Independent candidates also campaigned without hindrance, under calm and peaceful conditions.

The Mission observers submitted daily reports of their observations and experiences throughout the provinces.

Work and Deployment of Observers

On arrival in Harare, on 14 March 2005, the Mission immediately sat down to work. It received its first briefing from the South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe. The second briefing was from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and finally, the Mission was given a political overview by ambassadorial staff.

On 15 March 2005, the Mission received briefings from the Electoral Supervisory Commission, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the Zimbabwe Crisis Coalition.

The Mission convened at the South African Embassy on the 16 March 2005 to receive a background briefing on the security situation in the country. After this briefing, the Mission was divided into teams and deployed to the provinces. The following provinces were covered:
* Harare and Chitungwiza
* Mashonaland East
* Mashonaland West
* Mashonaland Central
* Bulawayo Metro
* Matebeleland South
* Masvingo; and
* Manicaland.

Report Submissions

The Mission received 135 reports from its observer teams. Of these, 91 relate to the pre-election period and 44 capture observations on polling day.

Events and Meetings

Numerous political rallies and meetings were observed. Average attendance at rallies ranged between 2 000 and 4 000 people. Some rallies were attended by as many as 25 000 people.

The teams also attended and observed voter education sessions, the training of election monitors, and party canvassing. There were also meetings with political parties, electoral officials, civil society organisations, security officials and other observe rs.

Among the issues discussed at these meetings were the Voters’ Roll, voter registration, the demarcation of constituencies, the placement of polling stations, the recruitment of electoral staff, the voting process, the provision of electoral material, the role of observers, voter education, the role of party agents, the candidates’ list, the political climate, political party campaigning and dispute resolution processes.

Political Climate

In general observer teams indicated that the pre-election polit ical climate in Zimbabwe was calm and peaceful. This observation was also consistent with the determinations made by other observers and by civil society, including the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

There were, however, instances where some rallies or meetings were described as "tense but without incident ".

Violations of the Electoral Law

During the pre-election period no violations of the electoral law were observed.

Compliance with the SADC Guidelines

Generally, all teams were satisfied that the SADC Principles and Guidelines were complied with in the period leading to polling day.

In some of the reports there were concerns raised around certain issues, including:

Equal access to the media
Food distribution along party political lines
Intimidation
Double booking of venues
Removal/defacing of election posters
The role of traditional leaders

Observers followed up on these concerns, but no verifiable evidence was found.

The Media

By the time the Mission started its work, regulations had already been promulgated to ensure that the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) gives the contending parties equitable access.

Political parties were allocated 91 free minutes on state television and current affairs shows, interviews, talk shows and general election news characterized the election period.

Furthermore, provision was made for parties that received more than 5% of the vote in the previous parliamentary elections to receive a proportional amount of state funding. In this regard, both the Zanu-PF and MDC received approximately R3 million each, which funds they could use to finance their election campaigns.

Overview of the Pre-election Process

The Mission noted that:

The delimitation or demarcation process resulted in the reduction of urban constituencies by three and an increase of rural constituencies by the same number. The Delimitation Commission determined that massive urban-rural migration that had taken place in the past justified the adjustments.

Allegations were received that some people were assaulted or intimidated and that there was selective distribution of food parcels by the government. Observers followed these up. No evidence was found to substantiate these allegations.

Generally, just before the elections, polling stations were properly st affed, accessible, easily identifiable and the law had been complied with regarding the location and preparation of voting stations.

Voter education was well planned and executed.

The voter registration process appeared to have been accessible to all voters. The Voters’ Roll was accessible to the public and the parties.

There was satisfaction with the training of electoral staff. They were taken through the Electoral Act page by page and the exercise was done in user-friendly language. This staff component was composed of both young women and men.

Party agents were trained using practical demonstrations. This component also was composed of both women and men.

The general impression was that security in relation to the electoral process was well organised and that the political climate in the country was calm and peaceful.

Other observers, political parties, commentators and leaders in the country also expressed a view that there was peace and political tolerance in the country and that the people of Zimbabwe were demonstrating commendable levels of political maturity.



Preliminary Conclusion

Accordingly, the Mission’s pre-election conclusion was that the country, from both logistical and political perspectives, was well prepared to hold the 2005 Parliamentary Elections.

Based on the reports relating to the pre-election period, the Mission concluded that the pre-election political climate in Zimbabwe was favourable for elections to take place. All parties and candidates had campaigned without hindrance and the parties and candidates themselves had conducted their campaigns in a manner that demonstrated commitment to the promotion of peace, stability and the holding of free and fair elections.




POLLING DAY


Introduction

Cognisant of the fact that an election is not a single event of casting a ballot paper on the day of polling, the SA Parliamentary Observer Mission adopted a comprehensive approach to observing the election process, working to ascertain and preserve the integrity of every stage of the process, from the pre-election phase through to counting.

March 31, 2005 presented the Mission with an opportunity to assess, in line with its mandate, whether conditions prevailed for the Zimbabwean people to elect, freely, their parliamentary representatives.

The observers paid particular attention to the following:

Efficiency and impartiality of election staff;
Monitoring by party agents and independent monitors and observers;
Fair access of voters to polling stations and a manageable number of voters per constituency;
Legal voting procedures, including the Voters’ Rolls, proper identification documents, checks and balances against fraud, translucent ballot boxes and the security of ballot papers; and
Security at the voting precincts

Voting

With regard to the voting process, the Mission noted as follows:


Party agents, local monitors, regional and international observers were present at polling stations.
The voting process was orderly.
Polling stations opened on time, staff and election materials were present and there were no unauthorised personnel.
The performance of staff at polling stations was described either as efficient or very efficient.
Election procedures were explained, identities checked and voting was secret.
Security personnel were always present at poling stations.
Due to certain reasons, some potential voters could not vote. These included cases where voters had gone to wrong constituencies - their names did not appear on the Voters’ Roll - or did not possess acceptable identification documents. Presiding Officers noted the reasons and personal details of those turned away.
Polling stations closed on time. Procedures were followed.

The general conclusion was that the polling process was well managed, transparent for all stakeholders, monitors and observers. The conditions under which people voted were orderly, peaceful and allowed the people to express their democratic will freely.

Counting

With regard to counting, the Mission observed that:

Counting staff, party agents, local monitors and observers were present during the counting process.
There were no unauthorised personnel during counting and procedures were followed.
Security personnel were always present.
When disputes arose regarding the status of certain ballot papers, these were placed in separate envelopes.
The performance of counting staff is rated from satisfactory to very efficient.

The counting exercise went well and was strictly monitored.



CONCLUSION

Therefore, meeting on 2 April 2005, in Harare, the South African Parliamentary Observer Mission unanimously agreed that, with regard to the 2005 Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections;

The pre-election processes were well organised and executed.
The election campaigns were peaceful and parties and candidates had the political space to canvass support.
Parties and leaders demonstrated a commitment to peace and the tolerance of divergent views.
There were adequate and accessible polling stations.
Polling stations were sufficiently provided for in terms of logistics and security.
Polling stations opened and closed on time.
There were correct Voters’ Rolls at the stations and the layout was done properly.
Ballot boxes were empty at the start of polling, and were sealed correctly afterwards.
During voting, voters correctly identified themselves. There was no intimidation and voting was secret. No repeat voters were observed. The voting process was smooth and efficient.
All persons at the polling and counting stations were accredited.
The electoral process was, by and large, transparent and observed throughout by party agents, monitors and observers.

Therefore, the SA Parliamentary Observer Mission concluded that the 2005 Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections were executed efficiently. The electoral processes were legitimate and credible and, to the extent that it is possible and reasonable, they allowed for the broad participation of all stakeholders and interested parties.

The electoral processes were executed in line with the laws of the land and, by and large, were consistent with the SADC Principles and Guidelines.

The Mission accordingly concluded that the 2005 Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections were free and fair.

Recommendations

The March 2005 Parliamentary Elections are critically important for the short- and long-term future of Zimbabwe and the region. Having concluded the electoral process, the country needs to work on rebuilding regional and international confidence through continued focus on electoral reforms and economic revival policies.

Among other things, attention may need to be paid to the reduction of the number of people turned away on voting day. Political parties should also play a role in ensuring that voters are registered correctly.

The Mission felt that it benefited from observing a meticulously planned and executed electoral process. Among the many interesting lessons, the door-to-door voter education programme as well, as the method of voting whereby voters are divided into three queues in alphabetical order were of particularly interest.