MPOI Study: Is Zimbabwe ready for an election?
In April of this year, the Mass Public Opinion Institute conducted 20 Focus Group Discussions in 10 of Zimbabwe’s administrative provinces. The aim of the discussions was to assess public opinion about Zimbabwe’s future. The qualitative data from these discussions was compiled into a report titled ‘Phobia of Elections: Deep fear and Anxiety about Zimbabwe’s future’. Among the key findings of the report were that election induced fear was deep and pervasive in the country and nearly all focus group participants felt that the country was not yet ready for elections in 2011 and felt that Zimbabwe should either wait another two years or wait until a new Constitution was adopted.
In general the study found that the public mood was positive about the social and economic conditions at the time and people were generally optimistic about the future. Most participants in the study felt that life in Zimbabwe had improved because of the increased availability of goods, better employment opportunities and the relative peace as compared to the situation prevailing in 2008. One man from Midlands province is quoted in the report as saying:
“I think our lives have changed politically speaking though not economically in Zimbabwe at least we are living in peace.”
However, the majority of focus group participants relayed their misgivings with regard to elections. Many were reported to believe that elections would bring a resurgence of politically motivated violence. A woman from Mashonaland West said:
“I am shaken at the mentioning of any election. I think of the brutality against humanity that some experienced during the election campaign…”
Another man from Manicaland Central said: “We know every time we approach elections, some people will move around threatening war if they lose elections.”
Participants who said elections made them fearful were asked to describe how big the problem of fear was in their communities. Some intimated that the problem of fear was so pervasive that they would consider supporting a ban. Others felt that they had to resort such drastic measures as confining themselves to their homes and stop supporting the political party of their choice to protect themselves.
“You don’t even trust the person that you will be walking with. You don’t have that freedom to discuss certain things that you want to talk about and most of the times you have to be cautious and remain quiet.”
Asked how this situation could be improved in the event of another election, many participants felt that international observers could help to ameliorate the situation. Further, many felt that a new constitution and assurances regarding the security of the general populace would help to restore public confidence.