THE “misleading and biased” European Union observer mission final report on the August 23 harmonised elections in Zimbabwe was premised on the mission’s pre-conceived biases against the ruling Zanu PF party and its naked support for the opposition CCC, analysts said yesterday.
Prior to the elections, The Herald exposed a plot by the EU observer mission and Carter Centre from the United States to tarnish and discredit the outcome of Zimbabwe’s polls amid indications of bias towards the opposition CCC.
The EU incited and connived with other observer missions to synchronise their reports to paint a gloomy picture about Zimbabwe.
Addressing a rally at Shurugwi prior to the elections, President Mnangagwa urged all observer missions to desist from observing the polls with prejudged conclusions from their homes or countries.
“Come with an open mind. We are a peaceful people. We welcome these election observer missions to our great country. They must enjoy our hospitality; our people are very kind.
“I call upon the observer missions to keep to their terms of reference in the conduct of their work, because Zimbabwe remains a sovereign country,” he said.
Speaking during a press conference in Harare on Saturday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the EU report was focused “on a closed episode of our national political cycle”, the elections that had recently been concluded.
“We also have substantial evidence of the EU EOM’s clandestine operations with other election observer missions for the purpose of manipulating their reports to discredit the election outcome,” he said.
The minister said Zimbabwe holds its elections in terms of the country’s Constitution and to strengthen its democracy.
“We don’t hold elections to please the EU,” Dr Muswere said.
However, despite Zimbabwe, which had nothing to hide having invited all the observer missions, some willy nilly abused the privilege with analysts calling them to order.
Dr Augustine Tirivangana said the report was simply old wine in new bottles.
“Well, the report does not recommend anything really newer than the old script. There is no reference whatsoever to where the electoral process was stalled,” he said.
“But what I find instructive to many misguided elements is that even this report confesses powerlessness to alter the course of electoral results. It is simply futuristic and purely suggestive, thus settling any doubts about any revision to the status quo.”
Dr Tirivangana said Zimbabweans are better advised to press forward and support the Government in national development projects instead of chasing wild geese.
He said the same tired recommendations are contained in the EU report and these are meant to allow the opposition more influence at the expense of national security and public order.
Another analyst, Dr Hamadziripi Dube said the EU report totally overlooked improvements made by Zimbabwe and concentrated on discrediting the August elections.
“The EU distanced itself from its mandate of advising the Government on future improvements to be made only to nail the Government and condemn the political landscape before and after elections.
“In actual fact the face of the EU report shows disappointment and that they did not expect the revolutionary party to win the August 23 elections,” he said.
Dr Dube said the EU report concentrated on the obvious shortfalls which can happen even in their backyard countries.
“There is more negativity in the report than complimenting the electoral process of August 23. Zimbabwe is not exceptional, the pitfalls and challenges faced by ZEC even happen in their countries.
“There is no special reason to paint Zimbabwe black based on common mistakes,” he said.
An analyst Dr Tongai Dana said the EU report on the Zimbabwean harmonised elections appears identical to those of previous elections as if it was pre-drafted.
Issues of impartiality, he said, could be raised regarding this specific EU report on Zimbabwean elections.
“Impartiality is a crucial aspect of any assessment or observation made by an election monitoring body. It ensures that the report is unbiased and free from undue influence or favouritism. However, as it stands, it is now debatable whether the Zimbabwean Government will accept it as a true reflection of what transpired in the 2023 elections.
“It is essential for the Government of Zimbabwe to examine the methodology, sources of information, and the overall credibility of the EU monitoring process. Questions may be raised about the independence of the monitors, their selection process, and any potential biases that could have influenced their findings,” Dr Dana said.
Herald
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