Mon, 12th May 2008
Coalition supports international calls to send observers to Zimbabwean President
Senator Marise Payne
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs
The Federal Coalition supports the sending of observers to Zimbabwe. This follows international calls from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United States to monitor the upcoming presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe.
“The Coalition is greatly concerned about the transparency of the upcoming presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe and supports calls by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United States to send Australian observers to monitor the election,” Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne said today.
Following the first round of voting in the presidential election the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) reported that MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Mr Mugabe 47.9% to 43.3% respectively, but failed to reach the necessary 50% quota.
Mr Tsvangirai slammed the integrity of Mugabe’s Government and the ZEC for taking over 5 weeks to release the presidential election results.
“Mugabe must ensure the integrity and transparency of the second round of voting and allow international observer teams from the African Union and the United Nations to monitor the election”, said Senator Payne.
“It is of great concern to the federal Coalition that reports of intimidation and violence have been perpetrated against supporters of Tsvangirai.
“International observers need to have a strong presence in the presidential election run-off in order to apply appropriate observation and scrutiny to the upcoming election,” Senator Payne said.
“The Coalition hopes to be consulted on any Australian observers group and would be happy to participate, as we have constructively on many occasions”, said Senator Payne.
The ZEC announced the result of the presidential election on May 2, five weeks after voting first took place. Mr Tsvangirai has publicly disputed the results but has been forced to contest the run-off by constitutional requirements.