Back Southern & East Africa: Zimbabwe Overview NDI began programming in Zimbabwe in February 1999 to promote political dialogue on electoral issues to encourage public confidence in the electoral system. During its first year of program activities, NDI organized a series of study missions for Zimbabweans to observe the electoral processes of neighboring southern African countries. In May 2000, NDI organized an international pre-election assessment mission to assess the political environment, the electoral framework and preparations for elections. As a follow-up to the pre-election observation mission, NDI deployed a team of long-term election observers. Due to the Zimbabwe government's decision to deny accreditation to international non-governmental organizations to observe the elections, NDI's observer team was recalled in mid-June. NDI maintained a staff presence throughout the remainder of the electoral process, and into the post-election period. Political Party Program Since February 1999, NDI has been actively working with key political actors to enhance their ability to promote electoral reforms and increased dialogue within the highly polarized political environment. After completing the series of study missions to observe elections in neighboring countries, NDI conducted a series of roundtables to identify obstacles to credible elections. To increase public confidence in the election process and deter fraud, NDI provided technical assistance and training on election monitoring to all of the political parties in the months leading up to the parliamentary elections. A total of 2,500 party representatives attended the workshops on how to observe and monitor the election process. International Pre-election Assessment Mission Six weeks prior to the elections, NDI deployed an international pre-election assessment mission to Zimbabwe, which was welcomed by leaders of all Zimbabwean political parties and civic organizations. The delegates conducted its activities according to international standards for nonpartisan international election observation and Zimbabwean law. At the completion of more than 30 meetings in three cities with leaders from government, political parties and civic groups, the delegation issued a statement to the international community on its observations that "the conditions for credible democratic elections do not exist in Zimbabwe at this time". Included in the statement were a series of recommendations to improve the political environment and the electoral process to promote fair and credible elections. Long-term Election Observation Mission NDI sent a second team of long-term observers to Zimbabwe to monitor the political environment during the pre-election through the post election period. The team planned to issue weekly assessment reports on political violence, the transparency of electoral administration, voting procedures and voter education efforts in the month leading up to the elections. Despite the fact that the Zimbabwean government denied formal accreditation to all international nongovernmental observers for the voting and counting process, NDI staff remained in the country to monitor and report on post-election developments, such as the opening of parliament, challenges to election results and the political climate. Contact Information For more information on NDI's work in Southern and East Africa, please contact: Amy Hamelin, Senior Program Manager Send Email Back