Urging the authorities in Zimbabwe to declare the results of the general elections held last month, the African Union (AU) Thursday warned that further delay of the announcement “creates an atmosphere of tension that is not in the least conducive to the consolidation of the democratic process.” Meanwhile, the South African Government also called for the urgent release of delayed results from Zimbabwe’s presidential election on Thursday.
AU calls for Zimbabwe election results
Urging the authorities in Zimbabwe to declare the results of the general elections held last month, the African Union (AU) Thursday warned that further delay of the announcement “creates an atmosphere of tension that is not in the least conducive to the consolidation of the democratic process.”
In a statement, the AU Commission stressed that the poll results should be announced in a transparent way in order to reduce the prevailing tension in the southern Africa country.
“The AU calls on all the parties concerned to show restraint pending the announc ement of the results and invites them to accept the results in good faith, once they are announced,” the commission said.
Expressing satisfaction over the 29 March 2008 elections, which, it claimed, “were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner” the commission said Zimbabwe’s democratic process was “so felicitously launched through the organisation of the elections.”
“The AU reiterates its willingness to work in concert with all the parties concerned, SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) and the international community, to ensure the successful completion of the ongoing electoral process in Zimbabwe for the good of the people of Zimbabwe,” added the commission.
South Africa Calls for Zimbabwe election results
The South African Government Thursday called for the urgent release of delayed results from Zimbabwe’s presidential election.
“The Zimbabweans need to be informed about these reasons for holding the results.
“But the most important thing is that the results need to be verified and released as soon as possible,” said government spokesman Themba Maseko.
He said the situation was “obviously of great concern.”
Nevertheless, he reiterated that government and Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state were satisfied that South Africa had “contributed substantially” to the peaceful atmosphere in which the country’s 29 March elections took place.
Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said it had been informed by the Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, Baleka Mbete that there was to be a re-count of the presidential election results in Zimbabwe and that a request had been made for a delegation of South African parliamentarians, including a DA representative, to be sent to help observe the process.
The DA said it has provisionally accepted this invitation, but will seek assurances on whether the results of the presidential election will be released without delay.
“It is pointless to have a re-count unless the original results are forthcoming,” said DA MP Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Mazibuko said the DA was also calling for an explanation as to why a recount is necessary, “explaining exactly what the problems were with the polling process.
“The situation in Zimbabwe remains very serious, and the DA will do its part to help ensure the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people is upheld and respected.
“We will not however be part of a process that is designed to legitimise what we have already highlighted as a deeply flawed electoral process,” she added.
