By Dickson Bandera
Following an invitation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Ambassador Fredrich Shava, the European Union has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the Harmonised elections of 23 August 2023.
Zimbabwe is set to hold Harmonised Elections on the 23rd of August 2023 to elect candidates for the office of the president, National Assembly and municipal authorities.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised a free and fair election while his main contender in the presidential race, Advocate Nelson Chamisa is drumming up support for a credible election.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has appointed Mr Fabio Castaldo, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for this mission.
High Representative Josep Borrell stated:
“The deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission to the general elections in Zimbabwe shows the EU’s commitment to support democracy and the rule of law. Under the leadership of Chief Observer Castaldo, the EU EOM will contribute to enhancing citizens’ trust in the process and to further strengthening Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions.
The Zimbabwean authorities have expressed their commitment to credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. This is what is expected and the Zimbabweans deserve.”
The Chief Observer, Mr Castaldo declared: “Democracy requires more than elections, but a country cannot be a democracy without holding genuine elections. That is why I feel honored to head an EU EOM to Zimbabwe. Credible, transparent and inclusive elections are a cornerstone of democracy and play a critical role to promote a peaceful and democratic path towards greater stability and prosperity, not only for the individual countries, but also for the broader regions.”
The chief observer also undertook EU’s resolve to continue working with Zimbabwe even after elections to ensure that the country can implement recommendations that may arise from the poll observations.
“On the basis of an impartial and objective assessment of the election process, we hope to continue working with the Zimbabwean authorities after the elections to encourage the implementation of the observation mission’s recommendations. The EU can play a pivotal role in this process, and we will always be by the side Zimbabwean people,” he said.
Th service provider of the EOM is expected in Zimbabwe the first week of July and will be followed by other teams who will come in batches as the preparations of the polls gather pace. The Core Team of the EU EOM consisting of 11 election experts will arrive in Zimbabwe shortly after the first week of July.
Towards the end of July, 46 Long-Term Observers will join the mission and are to be deployed across the country to follow the electoral campaign.
44 Short-Term Observers are also foreseen to be deployed closer to election-day. Finally, a number of Locally-Recruited Short-Term Observers from the EU Member States accredited in Zimbabwe may integrate the mission on Election Day. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.
Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Harare after the elections.
The final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented and shared with stakeholders after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.
