Joint IRI-NDI International Election Observer Delegation Deploys Long Term Observers Across Zimbabwe to Observe Preparations for Elections

Harare, Zimbabwe – The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), as part of their joint Zimbabwe International Electoral Observation Mission, will deploy 14 long-term observers beginning on June 22, covering all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe in the period leading to the July 30, 2018 elections, on election day and in the post-election period.

“Elections are more than just voting on election day. It’s critical that observers witness the campaign period and electoral preparations across the entire country” said Larry Garber, co-mission director.

The long-term observers comprise election experts drawn from Africa, Europe, and North America.

The deployment of long-term observers follows the Mission’s establishment of a core team of analysts based in Harare starting in April and a June 3-8 Pre-Election Assessment Mission where a detailed statement was issued. The IRI/NDI Mission has received accreditation from the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) to observe the electoral process.

The IRI-NDI Mission will deploy additional short-term observers for election day. Throughout the observation process, the Mission will coordinate with other observer delegations, including domestic monitoring groups.

IRI and NDI have organized more than 200 international election observer missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism. In Zimbabwe, the IRI-NDI mission will conduct activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005 and will base its findings on international standards for elections. The mission’s approach is consistent with regional instruments to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, including the African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. All activities will be conducted on a strictly independent and nonpartisan basis, without interfering in the election process and in conformity with the laws of Zimbabwe.

About IRI

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the International Republican Institute (IRI) advances freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more responsive, strengthening transparent and accountable governance, and working to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process – including women and youth. More information is available at www.iri.org.

About NDI

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. Over the past 35 years, NDI has conducted more than 150 election observation missions in 62 countries. For more information, visit www.ndi.org.