The Carter Center, renowned for its commitment to democratic processes, has announced that a former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, will spearhead the Center’s pivotal international election observation mission in Zimbabwe.
In a strategic move, the Carter Center launched its mission at the end of July, spurred by an invitation from Zimbabwe’s authorities and bolstered by the accreditation of its observers by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Reacting to the task, Prof. Jega said: “It’s an honour to lead the Center’s mission to observe Zimbabwe’s Aug. 23 harmonised elections.
“I urge all Zimbabweans, including political party members, candidates and voters, to show their commitment to democracy and peaceful elections.”
Additionally, 15 long-term observers have touched down in Zimbabwe, strategically dispersing across the nation during the first week of August.
The imminent arrival of short-term observers on August 18 marks the final phase, as they fan out across the country to meticulously oversee the polling, counting, and tabulation processes on the day of reckoning.
The mission will assess electoral preparations and the electoral environment, including election administration, campaigning, participation of women and ethnic minorities, social media, dispute resolution, and other aspects of the election process.
The Carter Center diligently adheres to the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation in executing its mission.
Furthermore, its evaluations are predicated on Zimbabwe’s domestic legal framework, as well as adhering to regional and global obligations and benchmarks for democratic elections.
Notably, this includes the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, an instrument ratified by the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe in April 2022.
With an illustrious legacy spanning back to 1989, the Carter Center has been a trailblazer in the realm of election observation. Having monitored over 110 elections across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the United States, the Center made its mark felt in Zimbabwe in 2018 through an election expert mission.
