Oversight on Zimbabwe Elections
TO: President Donald Trump
FROM: Peter Giambanco
DATE: 8 April 2018
RE: Election Oversight in Zimbabwe
Introduction
With elections in Zimbabwe coming up in 2018 for the
President and members of both houses in Parliament, there is a need to ensure
that proper officials are brought into the office. With past elections having
problems like interference, corruption, and candidates being threatened have
plagued the election process. This process needs to be protected by outside
help and the people in Zimbabwe even are welcoming an oversight on the process
to ensure that it is properly done. Even though the process of the elections
has been stated to be ‘free, credible, fair and indisputable’ by the now
President Mnangagwa, we cannot use this as a reason not to act and ensure the
elections are done properly.
Election History
In the past, people within the country of Zimbabwe have
deterred away voter registration. The people are often required to show proof
of residence along with a document of identification or passport, but a lot of
eligible voters actually do not own property which would disqualify them from
even registering to vote. This can be overturned if community leaders certify
affidavits for the proof of residency, but this created another problem where
community leaders are charging people for the affidavits and some would shun
those of opposite political parties.
As an intimidation tactic voters were told that their votes
would be tracked and recorded. Tactics such as these to detour voters have been
successful and even now in the newest election while Robert Mugabe, President
of Zimbabwe from 1987-2017 who is known for using these tactics, is not in
power.
Implementation
To ensure that the Zimbabwe elections are fair and free from
corruption the United States should assist in the oversight of the elections.
This can be partnered with other countries that would like to ensure the
elections are done properly. For this to be possible the United States can go
into the voter registration and ensure that all eligible voters are able to
vote by doing away with the need for residency and only requiring the need for
proof that the person is from Zimbabwe or they are now living in Zimbabwe.
Also, the protection of the voters should be made a priority and in doing this
the safety knowing their vote will not be recorded for future reference that
could possibly be used to attack them.
The voter registration recently was polled and it found that
only 5 million of the anticipated 7 million voters actually registered and the
goal of the United States is to make sure that of the 2 million who have not
registered to vote those who wish to vote have to ability and are safe from any
outside force.
The elections should be controlled just like any other
United States election and they oversight does not have to directly have United
States officials watching each election but at least some control where there
is a watchful eye over each station to ensure the voters are protected
throughout the whole process.
Closing Remarks
The election process is a fundamental democratic process and
it allows for the people in the country to have a fair enough say in what
happens. This process should be spread fairly throughout and needs to be
protected by those who can protect it, which is why the United States not only
has the ability but an obligation to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe receive
the same treatment as any voter in the United States would and not fear attack
or threats that would deter them away.
Peter, this is a very well-argued memo. I agree that someone needs to oversee the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe due to its history of interference, corruption, and candidates being threatened. However, I am skeptical about the United States leading the process. I think it would be better if the United States stayed within the scope of the United Nations, who was actually invited to observe the election. I do like your idea of trying to get more citizens registered to vote. This is the first time in over 40 years that Zimbabwe has the chance to participate in free and fair elections which makes voter turnout very important. Getting as many citizens registered and to the voting stations will help ensure the upcoming elections will run smoothly and fairly.
ReplyDeletePeter, you offer a really interesting perspective on how to intervene with the elections. Can an election really be free and fair if many of the citizens can't even vote? I like that you suggest for other countries be oversee the elections, not just have the US do it. I think this is really important that way it isn't viewed as a direct attack on Zimbabwe. I agree with Renee, that maybe having the UN be responsible for overseeing the elections, that way there is no bias on which countries oversee it, it is almost 200 countries to oversee the elections. Great ideas BFF! Keep it up!
ReplyDeletePeter, I really liked the questions you raised in your memo. It is also interesting how deterrence of voting was practiced and used to ensure Mugabe would be elected time after time for 30 odd years. One thing however, is that I would be more comfortable with an NGO to take care of the process as it would serve better for US standing if we supported NGO oversight but remained on the sidelines during such processes. This would not only ensure that critics of the US would have nothing to say that we were tampering with an election, and ensure that the election was conducted fairly without our overreach. All in all good stuff, and nice memo.
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