SADC press conference - commends ZEC

At SADC and ZEC press conference. SADC said noted problems with special vote, commends ZEC for steps taken to rectify.

SADC: in terms of ZimElections campaign, no incidents of harassment, violence, intimidation brought to our attention.

SADC: note with concern partisan coverage given to some parties and candidates given by print and broadcast media.

SADC: mission noted with concern candidature of members of armed forces, but assured none of them stood.

SADC: most ballot stations we visited visited opened on time, boxes properly sealed, indelible ink worked fine.

SADC: some concerns that voters showed identification slips issued after registration closed 10 July, but turned away.

SADC noted with satisfaction ramps provided at most polling stations for people with disabilities.

ADC: all ballot boxes had same colour, made it difficult for voters to distinguish between presidential, NA etc votes.

SADC: lessons and best practice from Zim Elections - statutory mandate to include women and disabled, ZEC media monitoring.

SADC: (cont) use of local rolemodels in voter education, braille ballot for blind, command centre that helped voters on day.

SADC: improvements needed - need to clean up voters roll, dispatch of ballot papers must be done in better time.

SADC: ZEC should intensify voter ed on new constitution and voter education; fewer excess ballots must be printed (it was 2m).

SADC: overall assessment: commend ZEC for organising elections in short period of time. Professional and efficient.

SADC: commends ZEC and people of Zim for peaceful, credible and efficient elections process.

Questions now: elections were observed in conjunction with the guidelines we set, SADC says.

SADC: with regard to electoral processes we have observed, done in credible manner by ZEC. Future reforms will take time.

SADC: MDC-T did not meet us and raise issues with us. Did meet in seminar earlier, but our statement based on our observations.

As SADC observer says that, part of the press conference applauds. I think there are observers here too. Very crowded.

Question on what is free and fair elections. SADC: no country can claim perfect voters roll. Applause again as she says this.

SADC: no-one was able to give us a figure of the no of people they allege have not been registered.

SADC: But we want voters roll to be cleaned up. SADC not in charge of this. Want ZEC to come up with proper register.

Question on the no of "assisted voters" in esp Mashonaland in a country with highest literacy rate in Africa. SADC: we didn't see.

SADC commends ZEC and the people of Zimbabwe on a peaceful, credible and efficient elections process.

SADC presser over. ZEC presser that some had been waiting for since this morning never materialised. Statements instead.