By Tendai Chisiri
Palestine Observatory Team says the polling staff in the Zimbabwe harmonized elections proved to be competent and were able to explain all procedures to local observers and parties’ agents seemed to understand their rights and duties and they were satisfied with the process.
Palestine responded to the kind invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zimbabwe to observe the harmonized elections which took place on Wednesday and Thursday.
A team of high level officials was formed comprised of Mr. Hisham Kuhail, the Chief Electoral Officer of the Central Elections Commission of Palestine (CEC),Mr. Jameel Alkhaldi, the Director of the regional office of CEC in Gaza, Ms. Tamara Tibi, legal researcher at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Safwan Halabi, the Director General of Elections at the Ministry of Local Governance, and Mr. Iyad Mohammad, the Director of East and Central Africa and African Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Observation team is headed by Mr. Kuhail arrived in August 20th, and joineed by His Excellency Mr. Tamer Almassri, the Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and his deputy Mr. Salim Siam.
Addressing journalists at press conference held at Palestine Embassy in Harare, Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe congratulated the Zimbabweans Government for being able to hold the elections after five years.
I congratulate Zimbabwe on behalf of Palestine and our Observatory Team for succeeding to keep the elections every five years. This shows that the country is keeping democracy”, he stated.
“The Palestinian Observation team focused on looking at the procedural aspects of the electoral process, the readiness of the Elections Commission of Zimbabwe, the competence of the polling staff, and the general voting environment of elections Day”, said Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Mr. Tamer Almassr
“On Wednesday, the team covered 6 voting centres namely; Avondale Primary School, Strat Haven Tents, Belvedere Teachers College, Chisipite Girls School, and Nenyere Tents in Mbare. During the day, the team attended the opening of polling centre of Avondale primary school, as well as the closing at the teachers college”, he added.
The team arrived at Avondale Primary School at 06:50 and they observed long voters queue which were evident and clearly demonstrated the keen interest of voters to exercise their rights to choose their representatives. Gender presence was evident as well as voters of different age groups.
They also said there was ease of access to and within the polling centre,no campaigning activities were observed near, around and within the polling centre and there was clear presence of local observers and parties’ agents.
” The polling centre had four polling stations, all of which were ready to receive voters at 07:20. However voting did not take place due to the delay in the delivery of ballot papers for the local Authorities. This continued to be the case till the team left the polling centre at 08:14″, reviewed His Excellency Mr. Tamer Almassr.
“Despite the delay, opening procedures were transparent and were carried out according to international standards. Polling staff proved to be competent and were able to explain all procedures to local observers and parties agents in clear and easy way. By the same token, national observers and parties agents seemed to understand their rights and duties and they were satisfied with the process “,he said.
He said in all centres visited, long queues, peaceful environment, order, presence of local observers was the order of the day. In Belvedere Teachers College, the team also noticed the presence of international observers including the Carter Centre and the Special . There was the gender mix of local observers and parties’ agents.
Moreover,facilitator of the Zimbabwe’s debt and arrears clearance programme was headed by His Excellency the previous President of Mozambique Mr. Joaquim Chissano.
Voting process followed international standards. Voters were checked against the voters list, then given three ballot papers (Presidential, National Assembly, and Local Authority). The voter’s finger was then marked by indelible ink and castee his/her vote in a secure voting screen, and finally casted the votes in their designated ballot boxes. The voting time for a single voter took between 2:30 to 4:20 minutes.
However, it should be noted that polling station serves four voters at time and no indication what so ever of voters intimidation or votes buying were noticed.
The team concluded the elections day by attending the closing process at Belvedere Teachers College. The team arrived at 18:45 and the following were observed: No over crowdness at the entrance or in the centre, with the presence of few voters, Polling Centre was closed at 19:30 and no voters were allowed to enter the polling centre.
Ballot Boxes were closed at the presence of local observers and parties agents according to international standards, Polling staff explained in a clear manner all aspects of the closing procedures, including seals checks, and ballot papers reconciliation ,each ballot box was then opened to make sure that it contains only ballots of the relevant elections. Non-corresponding ballots were moved to their respective box and then counting took place in an acceptable manner.
The opening, the closing and counting processes were carried out in a transparent and efficient manner and according to internationally acceptable he stated.
Ms. Tamara Tibi, legal researcher at the Ministry of Women Affairs on the sidelines of the press conference said was very peaceful. “The atmosphere was calm without any violence in the polling stations we visited or the urrounding areas”, she revealed.
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