This was said by SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Salomao at the official launch of the SADC election observer mission to Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Referendum in the capital on Sunday.
“Now, as we are heading towards the ‘polling day’, the challenge and responsibility to have peaceful, free and fair plebiscite lies in the hands of the Zimbabwean People. The process must assure voters and all stakeholders to honorably accept the people’s verdict.
“We therefore encourage the people of Zimbabwe to continue to demonstrate political maturity and responsibility by respecting democratic principles and practices,” said Salomao.
He expressed hope that the new constitution will pave way for free and fair elections. “As a matter of fact, it is our hope that the outcome of the Constitutional Referendum will pave the way for creating an environment conducive to hold elections that will be free and fair.
“This Constitutional Referendum is of paramount importance for the process of consolidation of the democracy in the country,” said Salomao. Zimbabwe invited SADC to observe the Constitutional Referendum in accordance with the regional bloc’s guidelines governing democratic elections.
Salomao said the SEOM will deploy a “sizeable number of Observers from the SADC Member States as well as from SADC Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Republic of Zimbabwe thus allowing the Mission to cover extensively all electoral process in the country before, during and after the plebiscite date”.
He said that the SEOM will share information with other Electoral Observer Missions in the country adding that consultations will be made with stakeholders to allow the observer team to be seized with Zimbabwe’s electoral environment.
Speaking at the same function Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kamillius Membe said the SEOM will strive to ensure Zimbabwe holds a credible referendum.
“The observation of the referendum Exercise by the SEOM is intended to ensure the credibility and just referendum process that will ensure that the ordinary citizens especially, cast their opinion on the Constitution in an environment that will ensure a fair vote.
“The Constitution being a tool for sustainable governance and development of the country will require that every view is taken on board for an inclusive society in all spheres,” he said.
Post published in: Africa News