The Zimbabwean authorities act in total violation of the international human rights instruments and in particular of article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights allowing for " genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors".
The power in place since 22 years and the rulling party, Zanu-PF, have increased intimidation and violence acts against members of the opposition and the civil society. President Mugabe recently accused his main opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), of high treason and subjected him to judicial harassment. Moreover, the establishment of most of the polling stations in rural areas outdistances the opposition from its supporters, mainly present in cities.
During his successive attemps to hinder the electoral process, President Mugabe has modified the electoral laws. These new laws were declared anticonstitutional by the High Court. However, the President ordered the expulsion from the electorate of Zimbawean citizens living abroad or residing since less than a year in Zimbabwe. He also imposed people with a double nationality to make the choice of their citizenship in order to be able to vote. To do so, he benefits from the partial agreement of the Supreme Court.
All these acts bring high tensions amongst the population, which may increase as the authorities have given mandate to the army to organise the elections and count the votes. Such riggings and organisation under pressure of weapons are unacceptable. They are bringing in advance discredit to the ballot.
FIDH and ZIMRIGHTS condemn riggings and intimidations by the power in place aiming at udermining the free-choice of voters during the presidential poll. Those hinderings to the democratic process, central to the establishement of the rule of law, violate international human rights instruments and may increase popular protest.
The FIDH and ZIMRIGHTS ask for the postponing of the elections and their organisation in conformity with provisions of international law and call for the international community to reconsider its relations with the Zimbabwean regime in regards to this situation