The Commonwealth Observer Group's (COG)final report on the 2023 Zimbabwe elections praised voters for their high turnout and commitment to peace. The report also noted that the pre-election period had a number of deficiencies, each of which was enough to affect the overall credibility, transparency and inclusivity of the election.
Deployed across eight provinces, including the capital city of Harare, the observers commended the people of Zimbabwe for registering and voting in large numbers, despite long queues. The group also lauded the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for its efforts to mainstream gender including via targeted voter education activities, which may have contributed to women accounting for 50% of registered voters.
The 14-member Commonwealth Observer Group, led by Ambassador Amina Chawahir Mohamed, former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Foreign Affairs of Kenya, concluded that the election day administrative process was largely without issue. However, the observers called for greater political will in implementing further improvements to the electoral process.
The report also offers practical recommendations that could improve future elections. These recommendations include suggested reforms to the electoral law and laws impacting political rights; the participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities; pre-election campaigns; election administration; the role of the media; and the voting, counting and results-management processes.
The report builds upon the interim statement issued by the Commonwealth observers days after the elections.
The COG commended the decision by all political parties to sign a Peace Pledge on 4 August 2023, as well as all stakeholders who initiated and supported the process. In addition, there was a parallel provincial peace pledge signed in Manicaland Province, and other similar pledges signed by youth leaders of political parties. This commitment by political leaders seemed to enhance peaceful participation in the elections.
The final report has been officially conveyed to the Government of Zimbabwe and Commonwealth member countries.
