Zimbabwe Elections Process Shows Signs of Corruption
By Jane Clark
March 19, 2008 | Printer Friendly

According to BBC News, the elections scheduled to occur in Zimbabwe on March 29th, 2008 are already showing signs of flaws.  While 5,934,768 people have registered in 8,998 polling stations, a number of deceased people have been identified among those registered.  Additionally, polling stations have been distributed in favor of rural areas where current president Robert Mugabe has stronger support, which could hamper urban participation.  However, Mugabe has told supporters that polling stations will be set up to give everyone the opportunity to vote.  There have been some laws enacted to deal with criticisms of the election system, but most have come too late.  Human Rights Watch has stated that “despite some improvements on paper to the election regulations, Zimbabweans aren't free to vote for the candidates of their choice.” 

Adding to the challenges is the increasing economic crisis in Zimbabwe, with the inflation rate passing 100,000%.  The Washington Post writes that Mugabe has blamed the West for their economic troubles, in particular the British.  He has been using these accusations against the British as fuel for his own campaign.  Some business executives have recently been arrested after being accused of hiking prices without government permission.  There have also been a few reports of election related violence against Mugabe’s opponents, allegedly coming from elected officials and security forces.

A further issue compounding problems this election is the mass exodus from Zimbabwe because of the economic crisis.  Reuters reports that millions of people who have fled the country blame President Mugabe for the country’s woes. The Reuters report estimates that if they were to vote, they would likely vote against him in the election.  However, most will not be able to return to which may improve Mugabe’s chances to stay in power.  Opposition leaders have urged them to return to participate in the elections, since laws bar them from voting outside the country’s borders, but many are unwilling to risk everything to come back.  Some believe that the people who have left the country have helped keep Mugabe in power, because without their assistance in keeping family members still in the country afloat, civil unrest might have erupted.

Voice of America reports that the Zimbabwean government will not allow the European Union to send election observers.  However, the EU will stay involved in the process by sending an informal observer and lobbying South African leaders to monitor the election process.  The South Africans will have their own challenges monitoring the elections as Mugabe has not implemented the terms agreed to in crisis talks since violence persists in Zimbabwe.  The government of South Africa has been hesitant to criticize the process, but has urged “Zimbabwean security forces not to take sides and to accept the outcome.”

Links:

BBC News: Zimbabwe Election Run-Up 'Flawed'

Washington Post: Zimbabwe Government Intimidates Opponents

VOA: Barred from Observing Zimbabwe Poll, EU Engages Regional Group

Reuters: Zimbabwe Exodus Helps Prop Up Mugabe