THE Swedish government says it is ready to dispatch election observers to Zimbabwe once Harare invites international observers to oversee this year’s harmonised elections.
Feluna Nleya
Speaking to journalists soon after a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare yesterday, Sweden’s International Development Co-operation minister Gunella Carlson said inviting international observers would lend credibility to the country’s election process.
“We are already funding the constitutional work and when it comes to the election, we think it will be a very good idea to have international observers,” Carlson said.
“Perhaps Sadc is the main partner for that, but there could be others. . . ”
“It’s really up to Zimbabwe what kind of electoral assistance they would like to have, but the elections are coming now. So if there is a request, the Swedes will be happy to be part of such activities.
“It’s really up to the Zimbabweans, but it’s helpful for the outcome of the elections to know that there have been international good standards. That has to be proven by international observers that are non-partial and have had the experience to do this worldwide.”
