Dear Editor,
Zimbabwe goes to the polls this weekend to choose a new national assembly and President. Neither election is expected to be free and fair according to international observers, diplomats and journalists. Zimbabwe faces similar problems to what Guyana experienced during the period from 1966 to 1992 — fraudulent and oppressive rule in which peoples rights were curtailed amidst a shortage of basic necessities and elections were rigged.
Human Rights Watch, which at one time was involved in Guyana, says that serious electoral flaws and widespread political intimidation have made a mockery of Zimbabwe’s elections. They also do not feel the election will be free and fair. They accused the government of continued violence against detractors, restricting freedom of assembly, using distribution of food and farming equipment to gain political advantage and denying opponents access to the media ahead of the March 29 poll. The incumbent, Robert Mugabe, has vowed he will never allow the opposition to rule the country while he is still alive.
This is not much different from Burnham’s statement that only a foolish ruler will lose an election.
Independent investigations revealed that almost 100,000 names appearing on the roll for several constituencies could not be accounted for. Mugabe passed new laws allowing police officers into polling stations during the elections “to assist” voters – you know what that means. The Elections Commission has refused to give a copy of the voters’ list to foreign observers. And the opposition can’t get answers to why the commission printed three million ballots more than needed for the total number of voters on the list and why it needed twice as many special ballots for personnel who will be deployed on duty during the election.
Mugabe should not be allowed to get away with fraud. Our government must call for free and fair elections.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
