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What's Being Done On . . . Breakthrough Elections ?
Presidential Election, March 9-10, 2002 NOTE: In this section, we present background information and summaries of ongoing work forcused on a critical potential breakthrough election in Zimbabwe on March 9-10, 2002. This informaiton will be updated as the election draws near and will provide information on the results of the election and post-election activities, after March 9-10. Background | Organizations Working on Elections in Zimbabwe | Other links | News on the Elections | Background President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwean African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) lost its third consecutive mayoral election on December 10, 2000, to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). In an effort to ensure his victory in presidential elections scheduled for March 2002, therefore, Mugabe has attempted to shield the election from international observers. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, and during the last two years the country has become destablized due to government-sponsored land reform and repression of political opponents. As the elections have drawn closer, Mugabe's effort to ensure his re-election has become even tougher on opposition groups, such as the Movement for Democratic Change. It has been reported that some supporters of the opposition have been murdered by supporters of Mugabe and his party. The elections in March are unlikely to be free and fair due to the degree of intimidation by the Mugabe regime. Tension between ZANU-PF and the opposition has been increasing, along with the international community's pressure on the Mugabe regime. Nonetheless, the election may present an important opportunity for a breakthrough by the opposition. Organizations Working on Elections in Zimbabwe Public Opinion Institute Public Opinion Institute is conducting polls on the election, disseminates the results to policy makers and the public through news releases, panel discussions, public seminars, and a public opinion bulletin. Contact: 50 Robinson House, 5th Floor, Angwa Street and Union Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe, mpoi@mweb.co.zw Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions - ZCTU www.samara.co.zw/zctu/ American Center for International Labor Solidarity The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), supported by the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center), has initiated a two-prong, countrywide non-partisan election education program. During the month of November 2001, for example, 15 two-day civic education workshops were conducted throughout the country. The primary theme of the workshops was the importance of political participation, particularly in the electoral process, as well as the negative impact of voter intimidation. The latter was unfortunately all too clear in a number of workshops, which were disrupted by ruling party supporters and independence war veterans. Despite the government's ban on voter and/or election related education, the ZCTU is resolute in continuing and expanding this program in an effort to overcome low voter turnout as a result of intimidation and threats. Also in November, the ZCTU conducted six two-day democracy and governance workshops. The purpose of these workshops was to improve the participation of trade unions in local governance. Significant to the greater political involvement of the unions is the realization that, internally, the unions need to expand their membership base to bring more people into the process, and to insure that the local unions are organized and run on well-defined democratic principles as a model for local governance. Contact: American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Fax: (202) 778-4525, acils@acils.org. Zimbabwe Election Support Network - ZESN www.zesn.org.zw ZESN conducts early and continuous monitoring of voter education, voter registration, politically motivated violence, media coverage, etc. It aims to enhance knowledge about the democratic election process and to increase citizens' awareness and participation in the process by conducting training in election monitoring, sponsoring public meetings and seminars, and producing T-shirts, hats, and posters. ZimRights www.zimrightsbyo.co.zw ZimRights has produced "You And The Vote," a manual on voter education, which can be used as a guide by organizations and individuals involved in preparations for the presidential election. The manual provides information on the importance of voting and urges Zimbabweans to exercise their right to choose by participating in elections. Other Links Mwelekeo waNGO - MWENGO www.mwengo.org Movement for Democratic Change www.mdczimbabwe.com National Constitutional Assembly www.nca.org.zw Note: For information on other groups working on electoral issues in Zimibabwe and throughout Africa, visit the Africa section of the World Movement Web site. News on the Elections All Africa Global Media allafrica.com/zimbabwe/ ZWNEWS.com www.zwnews.com BBC In-Depth: ZIMBABWE news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/in_depth/africa/2002/zimbabwe Mugabe Gets New Powers, Jan 10, 2002 news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1752000/1752378.stm What Lies Behind Zimbabwe's Treason Tape, Feb 26, 2002 news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1841000/1841846.stm Zimbabwe Electoral Law 'Illegal', Feb 27, 2002 news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1844000/1844420.st Zimbabwe Observers Undaunted, March 4, 2002 news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1838000/1838746.stm About "What's Being Done On . . . " For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9889. |
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