• EU observation team in Zimbabwe for upcoming elections
• EU report on elections could affect access to European markets
• Economic development linked to EU report on elections

Harare- A cohort of European Union (EU) Election Observers arrived in Zimbabwe to oversee the much-anticipated elections scheduled for the 234rd of August this year. This will be the second election under the tenure of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over the reins of power after the ousting of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, in 2017. The observers are unarmed with decision-making power and will not interfere with the electoral process in any way. Their principal mandate is to monitor the elections, ensuring that they comply with the international and regional standards subscribed to by Zimbabwe.

Despite their restricted legal and practical powers, the EU remains an indispensable partner to Zimbabwe. President Mnangagwa is actively soliciting to establish and reinforce diplomatic ties with the EU, with the objective of lifting sanctions and discovering novel approaches to tackle the debt crisis. The report that the observers submit upon their return will be of utmost significance in determining the future trajectory of this relationship. Hence, this becomes our topic of interest to focus on.

The EU first imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 in response to human rights abuses, the erosion of the rule of law, and the lack of progress towards democratic reform in the country targeting the Mugabe regime and the defence industry. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities deemed responsible for or associated with those issues. The impact of EU sanctions on Zimbabwe's economy is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been subject to much debate and analysis. On the one hand, the sanctions have contributed to a sense of isolation and mistrust between Zimbabwe and the EU, which has hindered the development of trade and investment ties between the two parties. This has had the effect of limiting the flow of resources and capital into Zimbabwe, which has in turn constrained the country's economic growth potential.

In a report published in 2019, the government estimated that the country had lost over US$42 billion in potential revenue due to a range of external factors, including EU sanctions.

The EU delegation will not use its own standards to measure a democratically process, but the ones ascribed to by Zimbabwe like the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter as well as the dictates of the highest law of the land. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe all affirm the right to democratic governance and the holding of regular, free and fair elections.

The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which was adopted in 1981, states in Article 13 that every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of their country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives. The Charter also requires states to hold regular and transparent elections to ensure the exercise of the right to political participation. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948, similarly affirms the right to participate in government through free and fair elections, as enshrined in Article 21. In Zimbabwe, the 2013 Constitution provides for the holding of regular elections, with the President, Members of Parliament, and local government officials being elected every five years. The Constitution guarantees the right to vote in free and fair elections, as well as the right to form and join political parties and participate in peaceful political activities.

Additionally, the Constitution establishes the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which is responsible for ensuring that elections are held in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The ZEC is required to be independent, impartial, and transparent in its operations, and is responsible for the administration of voter registration, the conduct of elections, and the announcement of election results.

The criteria employed by these entities to measure the credibility of electoral processes are multifaceted and encompass a range of factors. These include tenets such as universal and equal suffrage, transparency and integrity of the electoral process, and the availability of the voters' roll in a timely fashion for the purposes of verification. Additionally, the independence and impartiality of the electoral management body, such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), is a critical yardstick that must be met. The ZEC must be free from any political party or candidate bias to ensure a level playing field and guarantee a fair and impartial election.

Moreover, freedom of expression, assembly, and association are essential components of any credible electoral process, as they allow for the free exchange of ideas and political discourse. Access to relevant information about the electoral process is also crucial, including information about the candidates and the issues at hand. Equal opportunities to campaign and access to the media, without any discrimination or favouritism, is another key aspect of credible elections that must be upheld. Finally, ensuring that voters can cast their ballots without fear of intimidation or violence is imperative to guaranteeing a safe and secure electoral environment. All of these factors are instrumental in measuring the credibility of electoral processes and ensuring that they meet the highest standards of democratic governance.

Notwithstanding the critical importance of ensuring a level playing field in Zimbabwe's democratic processes, the monopolistic control exercised by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has resulted in a marked lack of coverage of opposition members during election campaigns. This trend has persisted throughout the Mugabe era and post-era, with the ruling party consistently receiving more than 50% of ZBC coverage, alongside similar trends on state-controlled radio platforms. Regrettably, this year has seen a further erosion of democratic norms, with the state police relying on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act to ban numerous opposition party rallies. This act has had the deleterious effect of restricting freedom of association and assembly for opposition parties, while affording preferential treatment to the ruling party. Despite widespread criticism, the government has refused to interfere with the police or courts of law, ostensibly to allow them to perform their duties. However, this position is at odds with the reality on the ground, where such non-interference has had the unintended effect of perpetuating an unfair and uneven political playing field.

The European Union (EU) has demonstrated its commitment to promoting free and fair elections by dispatching over 100 members to monitor the electoral process in Zimbabwe. With the addition of 44 short-term observers, the delegation from the European Parliament will bring the total number of EU observers present on polling day to over 150 members. As the deputy chief observer of the body, Beata Rozumilowicz, has emphasized, the EU observers will maintain impartiality and refrain from interfering in the electoral process during the course of their work. The EU observers will base their reporting solely on first-hand and verified observations, ensuring that their findings are reliable and accurate. This demonstration of the EU's commitment to transparent, democratic processes is a testament to its ongoing dedication to promoting democratic norms and values around the world.

It is important to note that the EU's deployment of election observers to Zimbabwe is not a new development. In fact, the EU has been sending election observation missions to Zimbabwe since the 2002 presidential election. The first mission was led by Pierre Schori and comprised of over 180 observers. The mission found that the election did not meet international standards for free and fair elections. Similarly, the EU deployed an observation mission for the 2005 parliamentary election, led by Ana Gomes and comprising over 200 observers. The mission found that the election did not meet international standards.

In 2008, the EU deployed another observation mission for the presidential and parliamentary elections, led by Pierre Schori and consisting of over 160 observers. The presidential election was found to have fallen short of international standards, while the parliamentary election did not meet key international standards. In 2013, the observation mission was led by Marisa Matias and consisted of over 200 observers. The mission found that while the elections were peaceful, there were systematic and widespread allegations of fraud and irregularities.

The same was in 2018 where the mission was led by Elmar Brok and comprised of more than 140 observers. The EOM found that the elections were competitive, but there were concerns about the lack of a level playing field, the misuse of state resources, and the involvement of the military in the electoral process. These findings once again underscore the importance of ensuring that electoral processes are fair, transparent, and free from undue influence. The EU's continued involvement in monitoring Zimbabwe's electoral processes serves as a reminder that democratic norms must be upheld and that the international community is committed to promoting transparent, democratic processes around the world.

An election report by EU observers could potentially play an important role in resetting hostile relations between Zimbabwe and the EU. One of the main sources of tension between the two parties has been the issue of democratic governance and human rights, which has been a key factor in the imposition and maintenance of EU sanctions on Zimbabwe. The EU has been critical of Zimbabwe's human rights record, lack of political freedoms, and the conduct of past elections, and has called for reforms to address these issues.

If an election report by EU observers were to provide evidence of credible and transparent elections in Zimbabwe, it could help to build confidence and trust between Zimbabwe and the EU and pave the way for a normalization of relations. This could potentially lead to a lifting or easing of EU sanctions, which could have a positive impact on Zimbabwe's economy and international standing.

Conclusion

Therefore, despite the concerted efforts of the international community to deploy a team of election observers to Zimbabwe, the situation on the ground remains complex and challenging. The electoral laws and institutions in the country have been subject to criticism, with claims that they are institutionally biased towards the ruling party. Against this backdrop, the forthcoming EU observer mission report is unlikely to provide a panacea for the many electoral failures experienced by Zimbabwe since the controversial 2002 presidential election. Instead, the report is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of these failures, highlighting the need for meaningful reform in order to achieve credible and transparent elections in the future. Despite the challenges, there remains a sense of guarded optimism that the EU observer mission could be a catalyst for more constructive and collaborative relations between Zimbabwe and the EU. The report has the potential to stimulate a renewed dialogue and engagement between the two parties, with a view to achieving a more harmonious and peaceful coexistence.