BRIEFING ON THE ZIMBABWE HARMONISED ELECTIONS

1. BRIEFING ON THE ZIMBABWE HARMONISED ELECTIONS Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation by Deputy Minister Marius Fransman 21 August 2013

2. INTRODUCTION This briefing focuses on the Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections which were held on 31 July 2013. The holding of these elections was a direct product of the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), an Agreement that was guaranteed and facilitated by SADC, African Union, and South Africa. The GPA envisioned three key milestones, namely: formation of the Inclusive Government, adoption of the new constitution, and the holding of the elections. These elections were therefore conducted under a new Constitution and an amended Electoral Act as stipulated in the provisions of the GPA.

3. SADC ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION • Considering the importance of these elections and SADC’s role as one of the Guarantors of the GPA, SADC decided to send a large number of election observers (573) which was deployed for close to a month. This was the largest observer mission ever deployed by the regional body. • South Africa formed part of the SADC Election Observation Mission (SEOM) with a contingent of 120 members drawn from Parliament, civil society and Government. • The SADC Mission was deployed in all ten (10) provinces of Zimbabwe

4. Pre-election phase • The pre election phase was characterised by a peaceful environment and political tolerance. Party supporters turned up in huge numbers to attend political campaigns and rallies with no intimidation or harassment. • The SADC Observer Mission met with various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) etc . • Issues raised by some stakeholders, amongst others, included the following: • That the elections were rushed; • Timeframe for voter registration; • Challenges relating to the special vote; • Timeous availability of an updated Voters roll; • Printing of more ballot papers versus registered voters;

5. ELECTION DAY • On election day, the same peaceful environment prevailed. • Voters turned up in huge numbers to exercise their democratic right to cast their vote. • The polling process was conducted procedurally and procedures for secure counting of votes were adhered to. • The observers, in their reports, indicated that the election process was conducted in a transparent and smooth manner and the secrecy of the ballot was ensured.

6. SADC PRELIMINARY STATEMENT • In its statement, the SADC Observer Mission concluded that elections were peaceful and free. • The Mission congratulated the people of Zimbabwe on the peaceful and the politically tolerant manner in which they conducted their elections. • Furthermore, the SEOM called on all political parties to respect the election results as announced by ZEC and whoever is aggrieved with the results, should not resort to violence, but should rather seek recourse from the courts. • The statement also raised issues that need to be addressed in future such the media reform consistent with Chapter 12 of the Constitution; continuous updating of the voters’ roll, availing of the voters’ roll on time for inspection, timely release of funds to the Electoral Commission.

7. ELECTION RESULTS Out of 6.4 million registered voters, just over 3.4 million voters managed to cast their votes, representing over half of the registered voters. The parliamentary results were announced as follows: Party Seats ZANU-PF 160 MDC-T 49 Independent 1 ZANU-PF obtained a 2/3 majority in parliament.

8. Presidential election results On 3 August 2013, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced the Presidential election results as follows: Candidate Votes Percentage • Robert Mugabe 2,110,434 61,09% • Morgan Tsvangirai 1,172,349 33,94% • Welshman Ncube 92,637 2,68% • Dumiso Dabengwa 25,416 0,74% • Kisinoti Mukwazhi 9,931 0,29%

9. ELECTION RESULTS The following categories of voters were announced by ZEC: Assisted Voters – 206 901 Turned Away Voters - 304,890

10. Post election A peaceful environment continues to prevail after the election results were announced. Following the announcement of the results, the MDC-T filed an application to the Constitutional Court challenging the election outcome citing certain irregularities, etc. However on 16 August 2013, the MDC-T withdrew its court application thus paving the way for swearing in of the President-elect. The inauguration ceremony will take place on Thursday, 22 August

11. SADC SUMMIT DECISIONS ON ZIMBABWE • A SADC Summit was held on 17-18 August 2013 in Malawi and the Summit resolved on Zimbabwe as follows:: • Summit noted with satisfaction the holding of free and peaceful harmonized elections on July 31, 2013. • Summit commended the Government and people of Zimbabwe for the peaceful manner in which elections were conducted. • Summit congratulated the ZANU (PF) party and President Robert G. Mugabe for winning the harmonised elections

12. SADC SUMMIT DECISIONS ON ZIMBABWE • Summit reiterated its call for the lifting of all forms of sanctions hitherto imposed on Zimbabwe. • Summit commended H.E. President Jacob Zuma and his team for their sterling job in facilitating the successful completion of the Global Political Agreement.

13. CONCLUSION • We believe that a new chapter in the consolidation of democracy has been turned in Zimbabwe following these successful elections. • We hope that the people of Zimbabwe will work together to build their our country. • We hope that the international community and the continent will play their part in assisting in this regard. • We further urge those countries who have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe to reconsider their positions and commit to work with the democratically elected government in Zimbabwe.

14. Conclusion cont... • At a bilateral level, the South African Government will work closely with Zimbabwe to further consolidate and enhance the historical political, economic and social relations that exist between the two sister Republics.

15. THANK YOU