Former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed is leading the Commonwealth observer mission in Zimbabwe’s elections.
At least 6.6 million registered voters in Zimbabwe are expected to vote for the president and members of the legislature.
Speaking exclusively to Citizen Digital Amina, who chairs the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), has called for a peaceful and credible exercise.
“Voting started as early as 7 am. We expect the exercise to close at 7 pm, after the last person on the queue casts their ballot,” she told Citizen Digital.
The exercise, which is Zimbabwe’s second polls since the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, will see voters pick their president, a total of 1,970 local and municipal leaders; and 210 lawmakers.
Amina noted that their mandate is independent and impartial, and that their role in Zimbabwe is to observe the overall electoral environment.
“We are here to observe and not monitor or supervise the elections. Concrete and clear recommendations. The Secretary General will thereafter share the report with the government,” Amina said.
The observer mission is expected to file a preliminary report on August 25, 2023.
“We urge the electoral body and those overseeing the process to carry out their duties diligently and allow the people of Zimbabwe to express their democratic right,” Amina added.
According to the Commonwealth, the mission consists of 15 eminent individuals from various backgrounds, including politicians, diplomats and experts in law, human rights, gender equality and election administration.
“The COG will submit a comprehensive report containing their observations and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. This report will subsequently be made public and shared with the Government of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, political party leadership, and Commonwealth member governments,” Amina concluded.
Voter transparency, corruption and a dwindling economy have been key campaign items, with eleven candidates seeking the top seat.
However, 80-year-old incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party and 45-year-old opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC) are seen as the frontrunners.
