The Monitoring and Observation Taskforce regularly convenes larger consultative meetings where civil society organizations with an interest in elections observations. These meetings provide platforms to collaborate on and coordinate  election observation efforts  within Civil Society

The organizations listed below are part of the Monitoring and Observation Cluster

1. Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Zimbabwe (CCJPZ)
2. Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERRA)
3. Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
4. Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development Trust (COTRAD)
5. Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ)
6. Habbakuk Trust
7. National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH)

8. Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ)

9. Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
10. Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD)
11. Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO)
12. Zimbabwe Civil Education Trust (ZIMCET)
13. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
14. Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC)
15. Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights)
16. Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)

The monitoring and observation of elections and electoral processes is vital as it enhances the electorate’s confidence in electoral processes and curbs electoral malpractices. The monitoring and observation taskforce undertakes recruitment, training and deployment of observers in all major elections in Zimbabwe. Election monitoring and observation, throughout the electoral cycle, enhances the legitimacy of the final results and therefore contributes to the post-election democratic governance. Findings from ongoing election observation and monitoring efforts has supported work on advocacy for electoral reform and electoral education.

Overall objective

The overall objective of this programme is to promote democratic free and fair election processes through objectively monitoring and observing elections and thereafter making appropriate recommendations for consideration by different electoral stakeholders.

Specific objectives

The programme’s specific objectives are:

• To enhance confidence in the electoral system.
• To deter electoral irregularities.
• To foster participation in elections at local, national, regional and international elections.
• And to systematically gather and provide objective and accurate information about electoral processes within and outside Zimbabwe to various stakeholders.

Target Groups

The government, election management bodies, political parties, electorate including marginalised groups such as women, youth and persons living with disabilities, among others.

Activities

The Election Monitoring and Observation programme usually undertakes the following activities, at different intervals during the electoral cycle:

• Recruitment, training and deployment of observers (short term and long term observers);
• Election monitoring and observation (national i.e. local, parliamentary/presidential elections and referenda);
• Reporting (compiling of election reports);
• Conducting of Sample Based Observation (SBO);
• Conducting of Voter Registration Audits (VRAs);
• Observation of other key electoral processes such as voter registration, inspection and delimitation of electoral boundaries.

Key Result Areas

Successful implementation of the monitoring and observation initiatives contributes to the achievement of the following results:

• Improved participation in electoral processes;
• Reduction in electoral irregularities;
• Reduction in cases of election related violence and intimidation;
• A more informed citizenry on electoral matters;
• Greater adherence to the electoral law by stakeholders;

Election Reports

The department produced evidence based reports during or at the end of each electoral process highlighting key findings and evidence based recommendations for consideration by different categories of electoral stakeholders. Read More