SADC observers say they will not support simulated elections in Zimbabwe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Observer Mission says it will not endorse the elections. The team of 63 members of SADC, led by the Angolan secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Tete Antonio, said after meeting political parties in Harare this weekend that they would not support a fictional election.

Political instability in Lesotho, skirmishes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar – where the elections are due to unfold in November – and the military expulsion of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe have thrown a bad light on the region in recent years

"We talked (to the parties) about the consolidation of democracy and we understood that democracy is a process and that elections are only part of the process. the question that was raised regarding the reforms, we understand that steps have been taken and we have noted that 13 changes have been made, "said Antonio.

The MDC Alliance is leading protests on issues such as ballot design and security around ballots. These issues were raised by the SADC team at a meeting with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The protests of the alliance were mocked by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who said the July 30 poll would be the most transparent election in history. from the country. He urged the opposition to approach the courts with their grievances. "The government has no role in the control or influence of ZECs

. They are guided by the Constitution and the Electoral Law of the country. Those who feel that the ZEC has not complied with the law or the constitution, our courts are open to dealing with such issues. "

Up to now, the grievances brought before the courts concerning the elections have been dismissed, Abraham Mateta, who asked permission to ask the electorate to print a Braille version of the bulletin

According to the law, Charles Hungwe, High Court Judge, stated that a visually impaired person assisting in the vote.

A 2014 report from the University of Zimbabwe stated at the time that nearly 10% of the population was visually impaired.

TimesLive