29 Jul 2018
Good afternoon fellow Zimbabweans, local and international observers. My name is Wadzanayi Vere, the National Chairperson of NANGO and Head of Mission of the NANGO Election Observation Mission.
NANGO is the umbrella body of non-governmental organisations operating in Zimbabwe. It is an apolitical, non-profit making and non-denominational umbrella body of NGOs, founded in 1962. NANGO promotes a proactive community of NGOs that are responsive and committed to the sustainable development needs of all people in Zimbabwe and the full realization of human rights, democracy, good governance and poverty alleviation.
Yesterday, I gave press statement on the processes that NANGO has been facilitating together with is its membership to ensure that the 2018 harmonised elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful environment.
As we draw closer and closer to the elections day we note the zeal the nation has to exercise their democratic rights and the commitment by key stakeholders to holding free and fair elections. It is critical to note that elections provide an opportunity to shape the development trajectory the nation will take post elections. Thus, NANGO and its membership has also been analysing the promises that were made by various political parties to the electorate through their political manifestos. These are the issues that will transform the nation and bring about sustainable development.
As NANGO we view the elections as a process that is critical in redefining the path of social, economic and political development. Complimenting efforts by our members and Non State Actors such as Zimbabwe Elections Support Network, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Zimbabwe Council of Churches and many more. NANGO has deployed static observers in 364 polling stations in the country’s ten administrative provinces. Our observers will be static, meaning that they will be stationed at particular polling stations throughout the whole voting process.
I am happy to inform the nation that today NANGO observation team will be documenting the state of preparedness of ZEC to manage the election tomorrow. Key issues that will be considered include availability of all legally provided for material such as the voters roll, voting booths and tally sheets amongst others. Also our observers will take note how accessible the polling station is to people with disabilities, and that the stipulated polling station parameters have been cleaned of political party campaign materials.
Tomorrow our observers will be documenting the voting process, starting with the procedures of opening the poling stations, the voting, conduct of the voters and the general environmental polling conditions. Lastly our observation mission will witness the closing of polling stations, counting of the votes and transmission to the command centre.
NANGO implores all stakeholders to be peaceful and tolerant as we go to cast our votes tomorrow.
Thank you.
