Zimbabwe gets its own post

The head of the SADC electoral observer mission to Zimbabwe declared that conditions in the country are suitable for next weeks elections, remarking, “The moment is right to hold elections, the climate is right to hold elections.” Ok, but are is the “climate” right for free and fair elections? Let’s survey the reports that found their way into my Google Reader just this morning…

Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) is threatening to boycott the elections if the electoral commission insists on counting ballots at its central office rather than at local polling stations, as was agreed upon in the SADC-brokered negotiations that set up the election process. Mugabe is clearly unconcerned, and has been busy all week making changes to the election law that allow him to override Parliament with presidential decrees.

Pre-poll obstruction is rampant across the country. Police in Harare banned events with opposition candidates and the Combined Harare Resident Association. Police and military personnel reportedly already voted—multiple times, and under supervision. Five police officers were arrested for supporting the MDC, under a selectively-applied (considering that the state security forces are generally under the control of the whims of ZANU-PF) law that prohibits the police from engaging in political activity. For other examples of disreputable behavior, see my last post on Zim.

The International Crisis Group issued a report warning the international community of the need for contingency plans should the elections not go well, which already seems probable based on pre-poll activities by Mugabe’s government and political party.

What about any of this appears conducive to free and fair elections? Mugabe and his party are flouting not only standard democratic practices, but the terms of the SADC agreement they signed with the opposition parties—and they’re doing it in the presence of election observers and international media attention. Delusion, or gumption?