The DA is concerned that the Zimbabwean elections cannot be deemed free and fair following the report by the Research and Advocacy Unit which calls into question the credibility of the Zimbabwean voters' roll.
The report shows that of the 6 million registered voters, over a million are deceased. It also shows that in 63 constituencies there are more people registered to vote than actual inhabitants. There have also been cases where people who had never registered to vote are on the voters' roll.
There also appears to be a significant bias towards registration in rural constituencies with registration as high as 91.9% compared to urban areas at 78.3%. Zanu-PF is relying heavily on the rural areas for its votes.
This aspect of the voters' roll is particularly concerning after the DA has received reports from our observer that soldiers are manning the voting stations in the rural areas. This is quite possibly a way of actively persuading Mugabe supporters to vote Zanu-PF.
The fact that the legitimacy of the voters' roll itself is being called into question, coupled with media reports of dumped ballots following the special vote, is already indicating that these elections could be deemed not free and fair. Access to the full voters' roll was also reportedly kept from other parties.
The DA welcomes the fact that the Zimbabwean elections have gotten off to a peaceful start, however, this does not take away from the fact that there are numerous irregularities with the poll that could result in the election not being a democratic reflection of the will of the people.
It is in the interest of the Zimbabwean people, South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa for the election to be free, fair and peaceful.
Ian Davidson, Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
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