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Election Date: March 30, 2005

At stake: House of Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The former British colony of Rhodesia became independent as Zimbabwe in 1980. Robert Mugabe—who had led the struggle for sovereignty under the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) banner—became the country's first prime minister. In 1987, Mugabe amended the constitution to become president, and merged his political organization with the Patriotic Front (PF) of Joshua Nkomo to form ZANU-PF.

In February 2000, Mugabe's government faced a major crisis, as hundreds of farms owned by whites were seized by blacks who claimed the territory as their own. Mugabe later called for a public referendum to modify the constitution and extend his tenure. The electorate rejected any amendments, with a turnout of less than 20 per cent. In June, the ZANU-PF held on to power, electing 62 lawmakers to the House of Assembly. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took control of 57 seats.

In 2002, Mugabe earned a new six-year term in a presidential election deemed as "deeply flawed" by foreign observers and human rights organizations. According to the MDC, more than 200 opposition supporters were killed during the electoral campaign.

The British Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe in March 2002, under suspicion that the presidential ballot had not been fair. Britain and the United States also imposed some economic sanctions against Mugabe's government. More than 3.5 million people have left Zimbabwe over the past five years, seeking refuge in South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique. The country's unemployment rate reaches 70 per cent according to some estimates, with 80 per cent of the population living in poverty.

In 2004, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai criticized the government-sponsored Public Order and Security Act (POSA), claiming it has affected his party's rights. In the course of eight weeks, law enforcements officers relied on the legislation to stop at least 11 political rallies. Similar public acts by ZANU-PF were not interrupted.

2005 House of Assembly Election

The governing Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) experienced some internal strife after its December 2004 national congress. Joyce Mujuru—loyal to president Robert Mugabe—became the party's second vice-president, defeating parliamentary speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa after ZANU-PF members ruled that the post had to be held by a woman. In addition, two cabinet members—information minister Jonathan Moyo and justice minister Patrick Chinamasa—were left off the list of ZANU-PF House of Assembly candidates.

On Jan 18, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) hinted at the possibility of not contesting the 2005 parliamentary ballot. Secretary general Welshman Ncube declared that the party's position remains "that we have suspended participating in any elections until the Zimbabwean government adheres to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol governing democratic elections."

Zimbabwe does not have an independent electoral commission. Government employees, police officers and soldiers are in charge of running the country's polling stations. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai suggested holding the elections in June, instead of March. Translucent ballot boxed will be used, ballots will be counted at specific polling stations and voting will take place in only one day.

On Feb. 1, Mugabe announced that the parliamentary election would take place on Mar. 31. Mugabe has repeatedly accused British prime minister Tony Blair of sponsoring the MDC.

An organization called the Diaspora Vote Action Group filed a series of documents to the Supreme Court, asking the tribunal to rule on whether expatriates should be allowed to participate in the election. Around 3.4 million Zimbabwean adults currently reside outside the country. The number of registered voters in Zimbabwe is roughly 6 million. Under current regulations, only diplomats are allowed to cast postal ballots.

On Feb. 3, the MDC announced it would take part in the election "under protest" fearing violence and vote-rigging could undermine its chances of defeating the incumbent ZANU-PF. According to MDC spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi, the decision to participate aims to "keep the flames of hope for change alive."

On Feb. 12, the ZANU-PF released its election manifesto, vowing to pursue economic recovery and a better standard of living for Zimbabweans.

On Feb. 20, Mugabe fired state information minister Moyo a day after he registered as an independent candidate in the parliamentary election. The European Union (EU) renewed a series of sanctions imposed on Mugabe's administration.

On Feb. 22, the government announced the establishment of an Electoral Court to handle all legal matters related to the election. The MDC quickly criticized the measures, saying the tribunal is skewed in favour of the ruling ZANU-PF.

On Feb. 25, Zimbabwe officially invited election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Mauritius prime minister Paul Berenger said his country would commit several monitors as well.

On Mar. 3, MDC spokesman Themba Nyathi criticized South African president Thabo Mbeki—who declared the Zimbabwe ballot would be free and fair—saying he is "totally misinformed."

On Mar. 13, the MDC further complained about Mbeki's comments. A statement signed by secretary-general Ncube accused the South African government of "aiding and abetting the Mugabe regime's denial of the basic rights of the people of Zimbabwe to freely elect the government of their choice."

On Mar. 15, the recently created Electoral Court ruled that jailed MDC lawmaker Roy Bennett is eligible to become a candidate in the election. Bennet was sentenced to 12 months in prison for physically attacking justice minister Chinamasa during a debate last year. Chinamasa had referred to Bennett's ancestors as "thieves and murderers."

Also on Mar. 15, Amnesty International issued a statement condemning Mugabe's ZANU-PF for using threats and intimidation against supporters of the opposition. Africa program director Kolawole Olaniyan complained about "persistent, long-term and systematic violations of human rights and the government's repeated and deliberate failure to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible" and said Zimbabweans would be "unable to take part in the election process freely and without fear."

On Mar. 22, Human Rights Watch released a 35-page report documenting instances of political intimidation against opposition parties and supporters by ZANU-PF members and allies. The document condemns the fact that "the same partisan electoral institutions that supervised flawed processes in 2000 and 2002 are supervising electoral processes for the 2005 elections."

On Mar. 24, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) national director Rindai Chipfunde said the non-governmental organization was "still worried about the slow accreditation of monitors. (...) Such delays can affect the efficiency of the monitoring process."

On Mar. 27, Tsvangirai said the MDC would win the election, anadding said he would be willing to jail the "corrupt elite" surrounding Mugabe.

Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube anticipated a change in the administration, saying, "I hope that people get so disillusioned that they really organize against the government and kick (Mugabe) out by a non-violent, popular, mass uprising. People have been too soft with this government. So people should pluck up just a bit of courage and stand up against him and chase him away."

On Mar. 28, ZANU-PF information secretary Nathan Shamuyarira said Ncube was "a mad, inveterate liar" who "has been lying for the past two years."

The opposition has repeatedly complained about how the government has used food disbursements as an electoral tool. ZANU-PF party chairman John Nkomo said the current administration would "deal with those responsible for the (food) shortages."

On Mar. 29, Mugabe derided Tsvangirai as someone who "runs to the British like a puppy wagging its tail, campaigning for sanctions, and asking to be installed as leader."

U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said "the manipulation of the media, the lack of independent outside observers (and) the tilting of the playing field in favour of the government" would be considered in the American government's assessment of the elections.

Voting took place on Mar. 31. Mugabe cast his ballot in Harare's Highfield area, and ruled out the possibility of a unity government with the opposition. Tsvangirai declared, "Change has been on the way since 2000." The SADC observer mission said the election was conducted in an "open, transparent and professional manner."

Preliminary results were released on Apr. 1. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) secured victories in 31 of the first 54 seats to be declared. The partial tallies corresponded to urban areas, where the opposition party usually fares well.

MDC spokesperson Miriam Mushaye said Mugabe's government seeks to "wink at the world and say look how free and fair we are" by issuing the results of constituencies that favour her political organization.

In the Manyame constituency, Patrick Zhawao—the president's nephew—was declared the winner. While electoral officials had originally tallied 14,812 ballots in that particular constituency, the ZANU-PF candidate received more than 15,000 votes when final results were released.

Leader Tsvangirai complained about inconsistencies, saying, "The government has fraudulently, once again, betrayed the people. We believe the people of Zimbabwe must defend their vote and their right to free and fair elections."

Final results gave the ruling ZANU-PF 78 lawmakers, enough to remain in power. MDC secretary-general Ncube said the party was "extremely disappointed by the results." Former information minister Jonathan Moyo won a seat as an independent candidate.

On Apr. 4, opposition spokesman William Bango called for a new ballot, saying, "The MDC is talking of a fresh election under a new constitutional dispensation, and not a mere repeat under the same environment." ZANU-PF deputy spokesman Ephraim Masawi dismissed the request, saying, "No one should take the MDC's demands seriously. The next (election) will be held in 2010."

In Kenya, Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon argued that reports about the ballot had been decidedly mixed, saying, "Some say (the election) was very good, some say it was not very good, some say it was unfair." MDC members claim some voters were turned away from polling stations, and thousands of extra votes were cast in particular areas.

On Apr. 6, the MDC released a report alleging "massive electoral fraud by the ruling party." The statement mentioned discrepancies in the actual number of cast ballots and the final counts in 30 constituencies. According to the opposition party, the disparity could alter the outcome of the election in at least 11 districts.

On Apr. 12, the new parliamentarians were sworn in. The MDC launched a court challenge against the results of the election. Shadow legal affairs minister David Coltart declared in Johannesburg that the party had filed a petition before the electoral court challenging the outcome in Bulawayo. At least 10 more challenges are expected.

On Apr. 14, the MDC released a 56-page report detailing "the denial of the Zimbabwean peoples' will." The document mentions at least 124 incidents of selective food selling, denial of right to hold campaign rallies, and threats of expulsion from villages if people did not vote for ZANU-PF.

Political Players

President: Robert Gabriel Mugabe - ZANU-PF

The president is elected to a six-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The House of Assembly has 150 members; 120 are elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies, and 12 members are appointed. Eight provincial governors and 10 traditional chiefs complete the legislature.

Results of Last Election:

President - Mar. 9 and Mar. 11, 2002

House of Assembly - Mar. 31, 2005

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