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- Call on the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that in the
days remaining until the vote on March 31, electoral observers have access
to all election sites and are free to move throughout the country and
report on any election related intimidation and violence.
- Issue a public statement noting any concerns with
electoral conditions and recommending corrective measures in advance of
the March 31 vote.
- Prepare a comprehensive and public post election report on
the electoral environment that takes into account all aspects of the
election process including pre-election conditions that affect the ability
of voters to freely determine and express their opinion about who they
want to govern them.
- Remain in Zimbabwe for a reasonable period beyond the vote
count to monitor possible election related human rights violations.
SADC member states must encourage implementation of the SADC
Principles and Guidelines by immediately calling on the government of Zimbabwe to:
- Make public statements to assure voters that the secrecy
of the ballot will be protected and that anyone who carries out acts of
violence during and after the elections will be prosecuted.
- Ensure that in the days that remain until the March 31
vote, the elections are held in an environment free of intimidation,
harassment and violence.
- Allow all electoral observers to move freely throughout
the country and access all legislation, regulations and institutions
governing the electoral process and environment consistent with the SADC
Principles and Guidelines.
After the elections, as a precedent for future elections in
SADC member states, SADC should issue a public statement assessing the extent
to which Zimbabwe’s laws and electoral procedures have lived up to the
standards established by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing
Democratic Elections.
