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Zim election reform 'cosmetic'
30/06/2004 19:53 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai criticised government-proposed electoral reforms on Wednesday, calling them cosmetic measures aimed at deceiving voters and poll observers.
The proposals - including transparent ballot boxes and an independent election commission to supervise voting - were "still miles away from our needs," Tsvangirai said.
President Robert Mugabe's 26-member politburo, his party's top policy-making body, agreed last week to adopt election reforms before March 2005 general elections, state media reported.
Under the proposed reforms, next year's polls would be held on one day, instead of over two or three days as in the past. The number of polling stations would be increased, and verification of ballots would take place at polling stations.
The proposals meet some opposition demands, but fall far short of guaranteeing a free and fair poll, Tsvangirai said.
The state media said on Saturday the proposals were necessary because of "the intrusive behaviour of the US and (European Union), who often declare elections not free and fair when the results are not in their political interest."
An atmosphere of suspicion
Mugabe vowed last week not to allow Western observers to monitor future elections, saying: "We will not allow the erstwhile imperialists to judge our elections. We ask our friends to judge us."
International observers rejected the June 2000 parliamentary and March 2002 presidential elections, citing widespread intimidation and vote rigging. Mugabe, 80, claimed victory in both polls.
Tsvangirai said in a statement the country's electoral process remained flawed and left an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust among voters.
"Let us not deceive ourselves that internal and external recognition and legitimacy can be achieved through half-baked and cosmetic measures designed to deceive the people," Tsvangirai said.
"Unless someone has something to hide, genuine elections are open to observation and endorsement by all interested persons or parties regardless of their country of origin. Players must never choose their own referees," he said.
Tsvangirai said no reforms were proposed to sweeping media and security laws that severely curtailed rights to free expression and free assembly necessary for fair campaigning.
"No free and fair election is possible when political activity and democratic space are at a premium," Tsvangirai said.
- AP
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