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SAOM Welcomes the High Voter Turnout
at the Patience and Determination of the Zimbabwean
People to Express their Will Peacefully
For Immediate Release
9 March 2002
The leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM)
to the Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe, Ambassador
Dr. Samuel Motsuenyane has expressed general satisfaction
with the peaceful and calm way in which the first day
of voting took place in Zimbabwe.
"We hope all the parties, the electoral officers,
the international and local observers, the media and
indeed all the people will maintain this momentum even
tomorrow. The people of Zimbabwe are speaking in their
droves and we hope that through this process the entire
world will understand their expression, their real will
and respect it." Said Ambassador Motsuenyane.
As early as 06:30 a.m. Ambassador Motsuenyane today
(9 March 2002) visited five polling stations around
Harare. These included the Kudzanayi Government Primary
School polling station where President Robert Mugabe
cast his vote.
Thousands of people waited patiently in long queues
throughout the polling stations to cast their votes.
"The calm and patience displayed by the majority
of the people today and the secret manner with which
they voted, augurs well for the success of the elections
and indeed the future of democracy in Zimbabwe. It expresses
the determination of the people of Zimbabwe to speak
through the ballot box and build peace and democracy,
which is so critical to the future of this country and
indeed the Southern African region." Said Ambassador
Motsuenyane.
Reports coming from 100 polling stations that the SAOM
has been observing in various parts reflect high voter
turnout today. Thus far there were no major disturbances
with the major concern being the slow processing of
the voting amidst long queues.
Meanwhile, the SAOM will be taking the matter of fastening
the process of voting with the authorities with the
view of ensuring that everybody gets an opportunity
to vote timeously.
The SAOM has deployed 50 Observers in ten regions to
observe the election process.
Issued by : SAOM
Enquiries : Mbulelo Musi
Cell : 0027 83 442 9041
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