News / National
'Zim elections were not credible,' says British high commissioner
28 Aug 2013 at 12:22hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE's July 31 elections were not credible because they did not provide a level playing field, even according to the country's own rules, the departing British high commissioner to South Africa, Nicola Brewer, said on Wednesday.
She confirmed that the 28-nation European Union (EU), of which Britain is a member, was still assessing the polls and discussing its joint response. The EU has modest sanctions in place against President Robert Mugabe, nine other Zimbabweans and two corporate entities, and there is speculation over whether they will be lifted.
Mr Mugabe was declared the resounding winner of the vote, extending his 33 year-rule by a further five years, and the EU said previously it would be guided in its assessment of the fairness of the process by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
At its annual summit last week, the 15-nation Sadc unanimously hailed Mr Mugabe's victory and elected him its deputy chairman, becoming chairman in 2014.
"But Sadc did not describe the elections as credible," Ms Brewer said. "We don't believe the results were credible and they need to be investigated.
"It is, of course, of grave concern. We don't think the elections complied with even Sadc's electoral rules."
She said the EU was discussing its relations with Sadc, which receives aid from EU donors.
"When something like an election happens you review your relationship and that's what we are doing," she said.
Like local elections observers and the US and Australian governments, Britain has criticised the preparation and conduct of the Zimbabwe elections, specifically the state of the voters' roll and access to state media.
She said the EU had not promised to follow Sadc's own assessment.
"We didn't quite say that. We said we would take account of Sadc's views," she said.
She confirmed that the 28-nation European Union (EU), of which Britain is a member, was still assessing the polls and discussing its joint response. The EU has modest sanctions in place against President Robert Mugabe, nine other Zimbabweans and two corporate entities, and there is speculation over whether they will be lifted.
Mr Mugabe was declared the resounding winner of the vote, extending his 33 year-rule by a further five years, and the EU said previously it would be guided in its assessment of the fairness of the process by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
At its annual summit last week, the 15-nation Sadc unanimously hailed Mr Mugabe's victory and elected him its deputy chairman, becoming chairman in 2014.
"But Sadc did not describe the elections as credible," Ms Brewer said. "We don't believe the results were credible and they need to be investigated.
She said the EU was discussing its relations with Sadc, which receives aid from EU donors.
"When something like an election happens you review your relationship and that's what we are doing," she said.
Like local elections observers and the US and Australian governments, Britain has criticised the preparation and conduct of the Zimbabwe elections, specifically the state of the voters' roll and access to state media.
She said the EU had not promised to follow Sadc's own assessment.
"We didn't quite say that. We said we would take account of Sadc's views," she said.
Source - online