News / National
EU threatens to withdraw its technical support from Zec
18 Jul 2013 at 14:37hrs | Views
A Zimbabwe government decision to bar a technical mission of two experts from the European Union (EU) might backfire, as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) needs their input.
Aldo Dell'Ariccia, head of the EU delegation, said if the duo is not allowed to enter Zimbabwe for a technical mission, the 27-member bloc might withdraw their technical support from Zec.
"If this mission is not allowed to the country, it will not be possible for the EU to provide some of our support to Zec in particular for what refers to the equipment necessary for a proper electoral process.
"I have personally informed Zec chairperson of this situation," Dell'Ariccia said.
He said the two experts are supposed to complement the current five Europeans from the diplomatic mission allowed by Zec to observe the election.
Dell'Ariccia said the EU was ready to provide support that would enable a credible electoral process.
"We have only one objective for these elections; that the people of Zimbabwe should be free to elect the government of their choice in peaceful and transparent elections, that their choice should be respected, and that all parties accept the result. That would be a credible election."
Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Zimbabwe's Foreign minister, this week told the Daily News that he had not invited the EU observer mission because they have imposed sanctions and that their impartiality was compromised.
However, Dell'Ariccia said the EU made no plans to send an observer mission since the bloc had not been invited. He however, emphasised that it was important for the two technical experts to be allowed entry into Zimbabwe for the benefit of Zec.
He said the EU was happy with the missions that were observing the July 31 elections.
"On a general note, independent monitoring of elections is a measure that strengthens confidence and trust in the process," Dell'Ariccia said.
"In that respect, EU welcomes the deployment of the Sadc, AU, and other regional election Observation Missions."
Aldo Dell'Ariccia, head of the EU delegation, said if the duo is not allowed to enter Zimbabwe for a technical mission, the 27-member bloc might withdraw their technical support from Zec.
"If this mission is not allowed to the country, it will not be possible for the EU to provide some of our support to Zec in particular for what refers to the equipment necessary for a proper electoral process.
"I have personally informed Zec chairperson of this situation," Dell'Ariccia said.
He said the two experts are supposed to complement the current five Europeans from the diplomatic mission allowed by Zec to observe the election.
Dell'Ariccia said the EU was ready to provide support that would enable a credible electoral process.
"We have only one objective for these elections; that the people of Zimbabwe should be free to elect the government of their choice in peaceful and transparent elections, that their choice should be respected, and that all parties accept the result. That would be a credible election."
Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Zimbabwe's Foreign minister, this week told the Daily News that he had not invited the EU observer mission because they have imposed sanctions and that their impartiality was compromised.
However, Dell'Ariccia said the EU made no plans to send an observer mission since the bloc had not been invited. He however, emphasised that it was important for the two technical experts to be allowed entry into Zimbabwe for the benefit of Zec.
He said the EU was happy with the missions that were observing the July 31 elections.
"On a general note, independent monitoring of elections is a measure that strengthens confidence and trust in the process," Dell'Ariccia said.
"In that respect, EU welcomes the deployment of the Sadc, AU, and other regional election Observation Missions."
Source - Daily News
