Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will observe all aspects of the electoral process before, on and after the election day. The EU EOM 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.
The mission is expected to comprise more than 150 observers from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland. An 11-person core team arrived in Harare on 8 July. 46 long-term EU EOM observers arrive in Zimbabwe on 22 July and are deployed to all ten provinces. They observe the electoral process in their areas and report back to the core team in Harare where the observations are analysed.
44 short-term observers will join the mission shortly before the election day. They observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. The mission will be also joined by a delegation of seven Members of the European Parliament, and diplomatic staff from embassies accredited in Harare. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.
I am pleased to inform you that the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the 2023 Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe consists of 68 personnel. They are from 9 SADC Member States, namely, Republic of Angola, Republic of Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, Republic of South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Zambia. Our observers have been deployed to the 10 Provinces of Zimbabwe, namely, Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West. The SEOM observations will focus on the pre-election, election and post-election periods, which include political parties campaigns; the voting day and the process of the counting of the ballot papers.
To that end, the SEOM has two components, Short- 5 Term Observation (STO) covering the period 10th – 24th August 2023, and Long-Term Observation (LTO), covering the period 25th August – 1st September 2023. We started stakeholder engagements in earnest since our arrival in Harare to appreciate the political, legal and security situation in the context of the elections in order to better inform the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia
https://www.sadc.int/media-releases-and-statements
You can read and download the SADC Reports on the election over 23-24th August 2023 Here for their intial findings, then here for their retort to the 'verbal attack' by Zanu PF actors.
The Observer Missions acknowledged the peaceful and calm nature of the pre-election and voting phases during the 23-24 August 2023 Harmonised Elections. However, they identified that certain aspects of the elections did not meet the requirements set by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
The Missions commended the people of Zimbabwe for maintaining a peaceful political environment throughout the pre-election period and on voting day. They will release a final report after the validation and proclamation of the final results, which will be shared with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and all stakeholders.
The long-term observers will continue post-election observation until 1st September 2023, and the SEAC will conduct a post-election review to assess the implementation of recommendations and provide necessary support. In case of electoral disputes, the Missions urged all contestants to follow established legal procedures. They also appealed to political parties, the people of Zimbabwe, and all stakeholders to allow the ZEC to announce the final results as mandated by law.
Read or download the African Union report Here
The Mission’s interactions with civic and political actors revealed that concerns persist regarding the process and outcome of the delimitation exercise. These included: allegations of inadequate consultation with stakeholders despite assertion by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that there were consultations at all levels; use of inaccurate population figures; gerrymandering in some areas to produce pre-determined election results; and limited civic education on the delimitation.
The Mission takes note of the Commission’s efforts to reach out and register as many eligible voters as possible. This effort was appreciated by some stakeholders the Mission interacted with but also raised some issues of concern as follows:
https://zw.usembassy.gov/election-results-in-zimbabwe/ their latest comments made on the 29th August 2023 make interesting reading (click here) with respect to Free and Fair elections, which we see did NOT occur in Zimbabwe.
"For example, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other international electoral observation missions cited problems with transparency, independence, fairness, and credibility at all stages of the electoral process. The United States notes in particular the systemic bias against political opposition during the pre-election period and reports from respected civil society groups that ZEC officials pressured election observers to sign altered polling station result forms. We call on the ZEC to make the disaggregated polling station results publicly available to increase confidence in the result tabulation process."
"We also strongly condemn the intimidation and disruption of lawful election observers throughout the electoral period."
"These actions belie President Mnangagwa’s repeated pledges to respect rule of law, transparency, and accountability. The United States is engaging regional leaders to share our concerns, including what this means for the international community’s nascent efforts to reengage the Zimbabwean government."
Lovingly entitled, "Zanu PF Fool's Day"; the 1st April 2023 at the Zimbabwe Embassy was the initiation of the campaign to expose the criminality at the heart of the Zanu PF regime. The Zanu PF regime has held Zimbabwe, as a nation "hostage" for far too long - 43 years this April 18th in fact. [Full image log on ZHRO Flickr CLICK HERE ]
Those brave few present, coming from as far away as Manchester, Coventry, Northampton, Gosport and Littlehampton, were there to "represent" all Zimbabweans who have been utterly disenfranchised by the Zanu PF regime back in Zimbabwe. That's not to say that many more within the UK diaspora should have been present - and the 18th April 2023 Demonstration {at the Embassy} and Petition {to 10 Downing Street, home of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak} will prove the depth for feeling personified by #GoldMafia and other criminality by the regime.
The numbers attending will always be a big factor when presenting a proposal and petition to the British - they are very much 'swayed' by the numbers - as they perceive "Voter Recognition" of an event or situation, that must be acted upon. The same is very true for pushing for democratic and humanitarian action to be promoted by the British within their sphere of influence, at both the UK Embassy in Harare AND on the International Stage. Here in the United Kingdom the Zimbabwean Diaspora has huge potential to assist those trapped by the regime in Zimbabwe. It is up to the diaspora to stand up and be counter {as the expression goes} and in this case literally too!
In November 2017 - the 18th November in fact: CLICK HERE to remember that day, the Hopes and Dreams for a Democratic Zimbabwe were Born - but now those dreams are left in tatters, as the nightmare began on that day inside the regimes psychotic imagination. Fast forward to March 2023 and the pre-launch of the Gold Mafia {at that time without a title - but certainly about corruption} many were apprehensive, most about an expose, but within the regime -'concern'.
Now the regime has gone past "concern" now it's {initially} ignoring it, but now the propaganda psychopaths have decided to "question" 2 years of under-cover research and 'stings' and to de-legitimise #Gold Mafia.
But it's too late, the die has been cast, actions have been taken, the crimes are not just limited to within Zimbabwe. The blunder of the 'dunderheads' is that this "externalisation" of looting, money laundering and theft has enveloped the International Crime Agencies and Tax Authorities - and to a big part the "insult" to several sovereign nations who have found themselves a 'party' to criminality. Now this has opened the political ramifications. Already the Tax Authorities in the UK, Congressmen in the USA, are asking questions. Let alone the impacts politically in UK, USA, South Africa and the UAE. The latter are particularly discrete, and those involved in #GoldMafia could find themselves at-risk should they return. The USA, in particular are extremely sensitive to all aspects of money laundering of the USD {the $}, there are also 'questions' that have arisen about pallets of $100 Notes "lost" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, who is to say that #GoldMafia are involved, but this dark-web of #GoldMafia has significant and very dark undertones.
So returning to the demonstration above, as merely a foretaste of a much larger outpouring of revulsion and disgust - on that cold and windy day. We salute the magnificent attendees and look forward very much to the much larger and far more promoted demonstration on Zanu PF Fool's Independence Day on the 18th April 2023 - 43 years of hurt for the vast majority, and the main part of the huge numbers of the Zimbabwean diaspora.
Be THERE 12:00 Noon Zimbabwe Embassy, Tuesday 18th April 2023 - take the day off work - you could be starting the move to democracy AND the Take 2 Zimbabwe {#Take2Zimbabwe} for INDEPENDENCE! Please note that there is a further idea of a presence at the UAE Embassy, 1-2 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EE; at 10:30am {then, moving back to the Zimbabwe Embassy by 11:30am, so to arrive at the Zimbabwe Embassy by 12 noon} - However, for those travelling a long way, such a time maybe 'problematic' {due to costly peak fare bus or train fares during a weekday} so the default position must be to get to the Zimbabwe Embassy by 12 noon.
As ZHRO/Zexit/Take2Zimbabwe/ZEMeta and CCC-Diaspora, we have added all four parts of this damning exposition regarding money laundering to the extent of USD $1 billion and Gold Smuggling by the creation of a link to the ZHRO YouTube Platform called "ZHRO - Crime Report" CLICK HERE
We are now planning demonstrations, further petitions and other campaigns to bring the crimes of the Zanu PF 'regime' in Zimbabwe to the greater public attention, for the express benefit of the Nation and Citizens of Zimbabwe.
Background: It mainly started in 2021, however endemic corruption and ruthless exploitation of the wealth of the natural resources of Zimbabwe has been going on for DECADES! Probably back to the {So Called} Independence on 18th April 1980!
However in 2021 the new President {after a military coup to replace Mugabe in 2017 and a rigged election in 2018 and European Union Assessment of the 2018 Elections}, was slated to visit the United Kingdom {under the auspices of the United Nations} for the Climate conference COP26 - Oct-Nov 2021. As ZHRO, ZAPU, ROHR and the then MDC(A) {now re-branded as CCC} we took our demonstration, firstly to the door of 10 Downing Street with a petition to {Boris Johnson} and also to the COP26 conference itself in Glasgow on the 1st and 2nd November 2021.
Even then we {ZHRO and VUKA} had created the banner stating "ZANU PF MUST GO" and ROHR had created "The Face Behind- Corruption etc" We all knew that Zimbabwe was being {and had been} plundered for her natural resources - for the exclusive benefit to the Zanu PF "elite" - including the arch criminal President Mnangagwa himself READ OUR OCTOBER 2021 PETITION HERE - we did not want Mnangagwa to enter the United Kingdom under any circumstances.
We had reminded the UK Government, that Mnangagwa was head of security under the 1983-87 Gukhurundi genocide {petition in July 2018 for that issue} and as the "Chief Strategist" as named by the Untied Nations in their 2002 report regarding the wholesale looting of diamonds from the DR Congo! It's not as if this was all news to the British Government.
We will be handing over a 17 page written Petition to PM Rishi Sunak on 16th March at 2:00 - 10 Downing Street.
NOW on CHANGE ORG @ https://www.change.org/FREEDOM4_Job_Sikhala This is intended to be a show of the diaspora feeling on an INTERNATIONAL basis.
Petition is a Joint effort by Peter from (Manchester CCC) and myself. Peter produced the four page introduction and description, outrage etc. ZHRO have supplied the referenced supporting articles, news reports, quotations etc. Page 17 are the signatures. This also includes Lord Jonny Oates - Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, and Chief Ndiweni
Also check out https://ccc-diaspora.com/zimbabwe for latest updates and information.
An IPS article appeared in Africa.Com on 13th February 2023 clearly raising international concerns over proven intimidation as Zimbabwe heads into another Election later this year. The ruling party {A military Junta} has a long history of ensuring that they "win" these apparent democratic elections - however for the last 43 years the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that rigging of the votes, violence and intimidation seems to be the main election strategy of Zanu PF and its so called president - Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa his {false and propaganderised} profile is uploaded to Wiki by the Zanu PF regime - Read it Here Not sure if any of it is true, down to his date of birth!
In addition in the United Kingdom, their Home Office has an 'agressive' attitude towards valid Asylum seekers, fleeing the Zanu PF regime and its 'tentacles' in the diaspora. The Home Office claims that CCC { the primary opposition} can "freely" campaign in Zimbabwe. The article below and many, many before it clearly demonstrate that is DISINFORMATION. Shame on the UK Government for such a lack of empathy, and deliberate ignorance of the true state of affairs in Zimbabwe.
The article has been reproduced below and many thanks to www.africa.com and the author.
By Ignatius Banda
With political violence escalating in Zimbabwe, national elections slated for later this year face questions about whether the polls will meet free and fair international benchmarks. Zimbabwe’s elections have routinely met scrutiny largely because of what critics say is state-sponsored violence and the intimidation of opposition political parties. Recent weeks have seen violent attacks on opposition political supporters by suspected members of the ruling.
Zimbabwe African People’s Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) despite regular calls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for peaceful political engagement among rival party supporters. The main opposition, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), says its supporters have been brutalized by ruling party activists, with analysts noting that political violence is compromising the country’s stated commitment to holding free and fair elections.
In the aftermath of political violence recorded on a widely shared video last month where opposition party supporters were attacked, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) issued a statement raising concerns about the implications of such attacks on the credibility of the polls.
“As the nation heads towards the harmonized elections, we urge all political players to desist from the use of violence. The people’s fundamental rights should be respected at all times. There is no citizen who should be intimidated or coerced, and worse still, be beaten to make a choice,” the Catholic bishops said in a statement last month.
Read more: Election Intimidation and Violence by Zanu PF increases
Results of an independent survey of Zimbabwean voters show that Nelson Chamisa will defeat the incumbent president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, obtaining an outright majority of votes in elections scheduled for later this year.
The survey was conducted for The Brenthurst Foundation by the London-based SABI Strategy Group, which is not affiliated with a Zimbabwean party. The survey, conducted in January using an in-depth 15-minute questionnaire, shows Chamisa would win 53% of the vote to Mnangagwa’s 40% among those who say they will definitely vote.
The result is more evidence of the sliding dominance of “liberation” parties as economic growth in the region lags behind the rest of the developing world — and much of Africa.
Zanu-PF was boosted by the ousting of the long-time president, Robert Mugabe, with his replacement, Mnangagwa, given the opportunity to reinvent the party and implement much-needed economic reforms.
We have formally sought permission to deliver a written petition to 10 Downing Street, On the 21st October at 14:00; This petition will cover;
We need to know which other groups, Lords. MP's or Individuals who are sympathetic to this petition and who are willing to lend their name(s) to this cause.
The organisations below have secured the services of a talented Immigration BARRISTER at significantly reduced costs for Asylum claims or Fresh Claims</p
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These are extremely competitive: Plus you will be given specific advice on preparing evidence.
Can also work with your lawyer if you have qualified for Legal Aid