|
SADC says Zimbabwe referendum free, peaceful, transparent
HARARE, Mar 17, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --
The Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Election Observer Team on Sunday endorsed the
conduct of the Zimbabwe constitutional referendum, saying that it
was conducted in a free, peaceful and transparent manner.
Team leader and Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe told a
press conference in Harare that in general "the mission observed
that the referendum was conducted in a free, peaceful and
transparent manner."
He said over and above the adherence to SADC principles and
guidelines on the conduct of elections, the mission noted the
provision of adequate logistical support to the process, prompt
accreditation of observers, provision of indelible ink and
translucent ballot boxes and the preparedness of the police.
Zimbabweans voted Saturday to decide on a draft constitution, a
key political reform paving the way for general elections later
this year. The draft is widely considered to pass as the text was
agreed upon by the country's major political parties.
A number of observers, especially from the African countries,
participated in the referendum to ensure a fair and peaceful
procedure.
Some of the concerns included the late provision of financial
resources to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), voter
apathy, lack of time for the electorate to study the draft,
limited voter education and a polarized media.
Membe recommended that funds should be provided to ZEC and
updating of the voter's roll way ahead of elections, adding that
voter education was necessary for a credible poll.
Zimbabwe's electoral body said the results of the referendum
will be announced in five days according to the law.
[ Back To Technology News's Homepage ]
|
Internet Telephony Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
CUSTOMER 
Cloud Computing Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
M2M Evolution Magazine
Call Center/CRM
Info Tech 
IP Communications 
Mobile 
Green 
Satellite 
Robotics 
