News
During its meeting held on 8th August 2013 in Gaborone, Botswana, the Africa Liberal Network Executive Committee reflected on the just ended Zimbabwean elections. In doing so, the Executive Committee was guided by the Network’s principles of promoting freedom, human dignity, democratic governance, rule of law, justice, free and fair elections and peaceful transition. The Executive Committee appreciated that some within and outside Zimbabwe accepted elections as having been conducted satisfactorily, while others remain serious concerned buy instances of serious injury to fairness.
It is on this note that the Executive Committee calls for an independent audit of the 2013 Zimbabwean Elections with a view to dispel or confirm claims and assertions of;
– A failure to effectively enforce the Global Political Agreement, which required the depoliticisation of the security sector, free media, freedom of association and freedom from intimidation.
– Poor management of special vote, with voting beginning late due to a failure to deliver ballots on time and the number of those who cast their votes being inflated.
– Inadequate time for voter registration is certain areas where some parties are prominent in order to disadvantage them.
– Registration in urban areas was far less efficient than in rural ones.
– Allowing voters without voter slips to vote even when they were not on the voters’ roll.
– There were concerns over accuracy of the voters roll, with allegations that 1 million deceased or absent people were recorded on the roll.
– Various competing political parties and candidates were not given an equal opportunity to participate in the elections due to insufficient access to the voters’ roll.
We call on the South African Development Community (SADC) in Lilongwe, Malawi today to support the proposal to hold an independent audit. The Executive Committee of the Africa Liberal Network is of the view that the results of the audit, whichever way they go, will protect the integrity of the efforts of the people of Zimbabwe and their quest to shape their destiny.
Media enquiries:
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu
Africa Liberal Network President
+24 381 268 1774
Gomolemo Motswaledi
Africa Liberal Network Vice-President for Southern Africa
+267 73 355 777
