News / National
10-member AU poll observer team jets in
18 Jun 2013 at 16:01hrs | Views
A 10-member African Union (AU) pre-observer team has arrived in Zimbabwe to assess the prevailing situation as the country braces for watershed elections soon.
The team, which is led by an AU political officer, Mr Idrissa Kamara comprises nationals from Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Republic of South Sudan.
The team, co-ordinated by Dr Kondwane Chirambo of Zambia is expected to be boosted by a further contingent as the poll date approaches although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is not yet in a position to say how many will come.
ZEC Deputy Chairperson, Joyce Kazembe said nine members of the team will remain in the country to observe the whole electoral process while one will return to Addis Ababa where he is based at the AU headquarters.
Mrs Kazembe said the electoral body will accredit the AU team on Thursday.
According to electoral laws, the election period begins with the proclamation of polling dates and end with the period after announcement of results.
The AU has been active in observing elections in several countries in recent years, including in Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire and in Angola last year.
The arrival of the AU pre-observer team is a direct response to the proclamation issued by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe following the Constitutional Court ruling ordering that elections be held before 31 July.
The AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma has said it is up to Zimbabweans to respect the court ruling or to ignore it, emphasising that expectations are that the rule of law be upheld.
The team, which is led by an AU political officer, Mr Idrissa Kamara comprises nationals from Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Republic of South Sudan.
The team, co-ordinated by Dr Kondwane Chirambo of Zambia is expected to be boosted by a further contingent as the poll date approaches although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is not yet in a position to say how many will come.
ZEC Deputy Chairperson, Joyce Kazembe said nine members of the team will remain in the country to observe the whole electoral process while one will return to Addis Ababa where he is based at the AU headquarters.
According to electoral laws, the election period begins with the proclamation of polling dates and end with the period after announcement of results.
The AU has been active in observing elections in several countries in recent years, including in Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire and in Angola last year.
The arrival of the AU pre-observer team is a direct response to the proclamation issued by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe following the Constitutional Court ruling ordering that elections be held before 31 July.
The AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma has said it is up to Zimbabweans to respect the court ruling or to ignore it, emphasising that expectations are that the rule of law be upheld.
Source - zbc
