The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
Robin Mathews
30 March 2008
Harare — The Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer team says Saturday's synchronized presidential and legislative polls "reflect the will of Zimbabweans".
Presenting the observer mission's preliminary report in Harare late Sunday, head of delegation, Jose Marcos Barrica said his team observed that Zimbabwe had adhered to SADC's Principles and Guidelines on the conduct of democratic elections.
Barrica told journalists and diplomats that there was a "peaceful atmosphere and high levels of political tolerance in which supporters of different parties could conduct their activities" in the run up to the poll.
"The great winner here must be the people of Zimbabwe and hence we call on all political parties to accept the election results", said Barrica who is also the Angolan youth and sports minister.
But opposition officials and supporters were worried by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's delay to announce the election results which they said could present an opportunity for President Robert Mugabe's administration to temper with votes cast.
The Zimbabwe National Students Union has since warned it would mobilize Zimbabwe to stage a nationwide protest if Mugabe rigs.
At the time of going to apress, the police had been forcing revelers in several beerhalls to vacate the drinking premises while some residents in parts of Harare's high density suburbs reported that they were assaulted by the police allegedly for walking in the streets after 2000 hours.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said police details would remain in the streets until after the poll results had been announced and the force was convinced that there was peace after the announcement of the results.
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