Petersen who is on an official visit to Zimbabwe said he met with the GNU Joint Monitoring Implementation Committee and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson to get a hint about the current preparedness of the country to hold free and fair elections.
He also met with Minister of Finance Tendai Biti in this regard.
“As much as we appreciate the need for Zimbabwe to hold harmonised elections, we also realise that the country would need the new constitution, new laws and voter education among other requirements before going to the ballot,” said Petersen.
The Danish government would provide assistance towards Zimbabwe elections as partners under the United Nations.
“We are aware that Zimbabwe approached the UN for election funding and Denmark would only provide assistance in this respect under the international body’s UNDP. This will be after the UN has concluded its assessment of Zimbabwe’s election requirements,” emphasised Peterson.
Petersen indicated that though the UN would provide assistance where possible, there was need for Zimbabwe to do everything possible within its means to come up with some election funding from own resources.
He said his country would also focus on supporting Zimbabwe agriculture sector which has the potential to create massive employment among other significant economic benefits to the country.
The Danish government threw its weight behind the Africa Development Bank and injected funds through the continental institution towards upgrading of infrastructure in Zimbabwe and other African countries.
Zimbabwe government recently agreed that a UN fact finding mission should visit the country to assess requirements for forthcoming elections.
Minister Biti said Zimbabwe was struggling to raise $132 million needed for elections expected later this year.
Biti also called on government to help ensure that diamond mining companies in Marange pay treasury its share of proceeds from diamond sells, as a way of raising funds for elections.
Following the successful and overwhelming Yes vote at the recent referendum Zimbabwe is set for elections after the referendum bill has passed parliament and signed into law by President Robert Mugabe.
The new constitution and some outstanding reforms on the election roadmap are the only visible obstacles on the way to coming polls.
Post published in: News