Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concerns about Zimbabwe’s lack of measures to ensure free and fair elections in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for August 23.
The organization’s report highlights the authorities’ failure to respect basic freedoms necessary for credible and just elections, citing the adoption of repressive laws, partiality of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), and partisan behavior by the country’s police.
According to HRW, opposition parties are facing intimidation, violence, prolonged detentions, and restricted access to voter lists.
Spokesperson Ostallos Siziba from the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CCC) mentioned the challenges they encounter in reaching rural areas due to violent actions organized by the ruling party, ZANU-PF.
Another concern HRW raises is the ZEC’s independence, composition, and conduct.
The commission members, previously appointed by major political parties, are now selected by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seeks re-election in the upcoming polls.
Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted the late President Robert Mugabe.
He won the 2018 presidential elections against Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who disputed the result, alleging fraud.
HRW’s report highlights the potential risk to international standards for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe and emphasizes urgent reforms to ensure democratic representation and protect citizens’ rights to vote freely.
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