SADC member states’ compliance with the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections: case of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission since 2004.

Abstract

The research sought to assess SADC member states’ compliance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) as a case study. To answer the research questions and as well as to achieve the objectives of the research, data was collected from a sample extracted, civil society representatives, politicians, and election. Observer missions from different towns and from organizations and political parties. Questionnaires and interviews were employed as tools for data collection, in this regard 25 questionnaires were distributed to twenty-five individuals within the sample and 5 Interviews were conducted. In addition, some of the information used in the research was extracted from published documentary sources. Data collected was presented using pie charts and table sand later followed by discussion and analysis of the data presented. The research used the Southern African Development Committee guidelines and principles governing or democratic elections as a measurement tool for analyzing the way in which SADC member states are conducting elections with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as a mirror. The findings of the research have shown that although ZEC is trying to meet the demands of the guidelines, there are still more challenges being witnessed on elections system in Zimbabwe such as, victimization, high rate of electoral violence high rate of turned away voters among others that need to be addressed as such have a negative impact on the achievement of free and fair Elections in Zimbabwe as a whole.