OBSERVERS from the European Union mission to the General Election in Zimbabwe on Wednesday said they noted instances of “soft intimidation” and an unfair playing field.

EU Chief observer Elmar Brok, however said, the election was an improvement on previous polls.

“These elections were seen as a critical test of Zimbabwe’s reform process,” Brok said, as Zimbabweans were still waiting for presidential results.

“In some senses, up to this point, the conduct of the polls has had a number of positive features, but in other senses serious concerns remain.”

Shortcomings included “soft intimidation” such as the ruling party showing visibility outside polling stations when parties are supposed to stay at least 300 metres away.

There was also misuse of state resources, media bias, and not all polling stations posted results outside as they’re obliged to, the EU observers said.

Asked whether the observers’ findings would mean the EU would re-engage with debt-ridden Zimbabwe, Brok demurred saying it was up to all the EU institutions and too early to comment. (dpa/NAN)

Aug. 01, 2018 @ 13:35 GMT |

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