Zimbabwe recently held parliamentary by-elections to fill seats left vacant by recalled opposition lawmakers. The ruling Zanu-PF party emerged victorious in all six by-elections, securing a two-thirds majority that allows for potential constitutional amendments. However, these by-elections were marked by troubling incidents of violence and intimidation directed at election observers, particularly those associated with the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a local civil society organization.
ZESN reported five alarming incidents involving its observers in the Seke constituency, where they faced harassment and intimidation by unidentified individuals in unmarked vehicles, suspected to have ties to the ruling party. These aggressors not only demanded information about the observers’ activities but also resorted to threats of physical violence, compelling the observers to leave the polling stations by forcibly removing their ZESN Observer T-shirts. Despite the presence of law enforcement officers and presiding officers, they were allegedly instructed not to intervene by the unidentified individuals.
According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Act’s Section 40 G, accredited observers are essential in ensuring transparent and fair elections. Their responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on various aspects of the electoral process. However, recent events have raised concerns about their ability to carry out their duties impartially and independently without fear of violence or intimidation.
In one incident at Ruwa Country Club Polling Station in Ward 24, an observer complied with aggressors’ demands and left the polling station out of fear, leading to her removal from the polling station for safety reasons. In another incident at Rusoveri Methodist Polling Station in Ward 15, an observer was accused of misrepresenting elections to the West and was chased away.
Additionally, observers at Sundai Makonde Ward 4, Charakupa Clinic Ward 4, and Pamusasa Tent A polling stations encountered harassment and fear within the 300m radius of their respective polling stations. Notably, one female observer had to spend the night at a polling station without adequate provisions due to fear.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur emphasized the importance of providing election observers with the same protections as other human rights defenders. The UN urged Member States to create conditions that allow observers to work effectively without fearing violence, threats, or any arbitrary action. ZESN condemned the attacks on its observers, calling for police intervention to ensure their safety and security while performing their duties. The organization also urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to address security threats to protect public confidence in the electoral process.
The acts of intimidation against election observers not only undermine transparency and accountability but also raise doubts about the general fairness of the electoral process.
