SADC Election Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe Statement

Against the backdrop of being one of the Guarantors of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and in accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was invited by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to observe the Constitutional Referendum held on 16 March 2013.

Guided by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the Mission deployed twelve (12) teams of observers across all ten (10) provinces of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Observers were given the responsibility to observe the Constitutional Referendum and to give comprehensive accounts of their findings in their areas of deployment in order for the Mission to provide an informed assessment.

The Mission observed that the pre-referendum phase was characterized by a largely tolerant and peaceful civic atmosphere. In general, ZEC, COPAC and other relevant stakeholders conducted their work in a transparent, orderly and professional manner without any hindrance.

In the course of observing the Referendum, the Mission noted that over and above, general adherence to the relevant national legal instruments and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. The following best democratic practices and lessons in the Zimbabwean Referendum were observed.