ZEC Stands Firm Against US Pressure, Election Results Under Scrutiny
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has defiantly rejected the demand from the United States State Department to disclose the raw data contained in V11 forms, intensifying the controversy surrounding the recently held elections. The US State Department had urged ZEC to publish the data in order to authenticate the disputed election results.
The opposition party, CCC, has been vocal in its opposition to the election outcome, accusing ZEC of manipulating the data to secure victory for incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his main challenger, Nelson Chamisa. CCC alleges that some polling officers were coerced into signing altered polling station result forms, known as V11s, further fuelling doubts about the integrity of the process.
ZEC, however, remains unwavering in its refusal to comply with the US demand, citing the absence of any legal obligation to release such information. Taking to social media, ZEC emphasized its position, stating, “ZEC is not compelled by the law to publish V11 forms. The map below shows the real performance by the top two Presidential candidates during the just ended elections.”
ZEC is not compelled by the law to publish V11 forms. The map below shows the real performance by the top two Presidential candidates during the just ended elections pic.twitter.com/Q5pQtxD8hy
— Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (@ZECzim) August 31, 2023
The US State Department had also called on ZEC to release disaggregated vote results from polling stations to enhance transparency and confidence in the tabulation process. ZEC has not addressed this specific request, leaving room for further speculation and skepticism about the accuracy of the election outcomes.
The controversy surrounding the authenticity of ZEC’s presidential vote count has deepened as CCC data collectors challenge the credibility of the results. With ZEC’s rejection of the US demand and the opposition’s persistent allegations of manipulation, the public’s trust in the electoral process has been significantly undermined.
As the dispute continues, calls for transparency and accountability grow louder. Zimbabweans are eagerly seeking clarity and assurance that their votes were accurately recorded and that the election was conducted fairly. The refusal to release the raw data only adds to the ongoing uncertainty and raises questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
