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Write to Ms. Lindiwe Mabuza
Dear Ms. Lindiwe Mabuza,

Suggested letter below (please feel free to alter it) I am writing to express my concern about the delays in the release of Zimbabwe’s presidential election results, which are to be declared by Friday 4 April, by law. I urge you to use your regional influence to help ensure the elections are free and fair and that the publicly announced results from the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) reflect the results posted outside polling stations. In particular, I am concerned about the possibility of instability arising from the failure to declare the presidential election results. This delay and the failure of the ZEC to adequately explain these delays is fuelling widespread perception that the vote is being manipulated and hence is running counter to the will of the people. I urge you to work to ensure that SADC fulfils its obligation to the people of Zimbabwe and guarantees that the will of the people is upheld in the parliamentary elections. Given South Africa’s international reputation for democracy, tolerance and reconciliation, I urge the South African government to take the following actions: · Ensure that SADC make the strongest representations to the Harare government to stand by the international and regional committments it has signed in relation to free and fair elections and ensure it implements these to recognised democratic standards; · Request that, as part of SADC committment to ensuring free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, ZEC make available all relevant documentation to allow for an audit of the ballot to clarify any discrepancies between the figures announced by Election Command Central and the official results posted at polling stations. In particular, it is critical that ZEC makes public all results, including the results of the individual polling stations and the collated results from the constituency command posts. Such a process would be in line with international best practice, and by so doing put to rest any fears that the will of the people was or is being subverted; · To ensure that, in the event of any second round of presidential elections, the stipulations of the Electoral Act for a 21 day period between first and second rounds is adhered to. If presidential powers to extend this to 90 days were to be allowed, the current president, who is an interested party, would have an unfair advantage. This would be in contravention of both natural justice and accepted democratic practice; · Lead a process of peaceful mediation in the event of a disputed outcome; · Use its influence in the region to aid Zimbabwean security forces in respecting the verdicts of the people. The Zimbabwean people have suffered enough. If their democratic choice has been to elect a new leader, their will should be respected. The unexplained delays in the release of election results are unacceptable, and I strongly urge the South African government to do everything in its power to ensure the announced results reflect the true will of the Zimbabwean people to ensure stability in the region.

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