Following an invitation by President Mnangagwa, the European Union (EU) has agreed to observe Zimbabwe’s elections, which are scheduled for August 23.
The invitation to watch elections ‘demonstrates the trust, cooperation and partnership’ between the grouping and the government, according to EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann.
“This invitation clearly demonstrates the trust, cooperation, and partnership between Zimbabwe and the EU,” he said in a tweet.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) requested applications for accreditation from individuals and organisations last week if they wish to monitor the crucial election in their nation.
This year, local observers must pay an accreditation fee of US$10 per person, while observers from the African continent must pay US$100 per person.
While observers from any countries outside of Africa will each pay US$400, individuals working in foreign embassies in Zimbabwe will pay US$300.
Local media professionals who are accredited with the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) and who work for foreign media organisations must pay US$100 in fees, as is the case with those from the continent of Africa, whilst local media professionals who are accredited with the ZMC must pay US$10.
However, observers from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC, electoral bodies in African countries and embassies from African countries are exempt from paying any fees.
Legal think- tank Veritas criticised the fees for allegedly discouraging local and international organisations from seeking observer accreditation.
“Proper election observation enhances the fairness, transparency and credibility of elections and also encourages all parties contesting elections to accept the results.
“The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Elections both emphasise the importance of independent observers in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible and democratic. Zimbabwe is a party to both those instruments,” it said.