“History repeats itself, it just gets the details wrong” – PvS

From the Economist

The results have left the MDC’s supporters in shock. Some of its leading figures have lost their seats. Yet the party went into the election campaign knowing that the voters’ roll (as well as the broadcast media) would be biased against it. Mr Mugabe had decreed a snap election that left little time for voter registration, analysis of the voters’ list, or a correction of any irregularities. The MDC contested the elections anyway. Even on election day its leaders still seemed confident that disgust with Mr Mugabe’s often violent rule was sufficient to level the playing field.

Did they miscalculate?

More

Are the MDC-T MP’s going to accept their positions or boycott this new government? via Twitter

The worst thing that ever happened to Zim was the GPA? (Duh) via Twitter

Tsvangirai’s decline mainly has to do with the way the MDC-T relaxed when it joined government. Tsvangirai’s team was too pre-occupied with luxuries like cars and houses rather than focusing on issues affecting ordinary people and the need for change. They also became complacent and arrogant. While Mugabe and Zanu PF used the inclusive government to regroup, the MDC relaxed in there. Tsvangirai and MDC-T must take full responsibility for the consequences of their actions in the last four years. They have no one else but themselves to blame. – Blessing Vava in the Zimbabwe Independent

Zimbabwe’s presidential and parliamentary elections were “free, honest and credible” – Olusegun Obasanjo, African Union via BBC

A deep silence has settled
no jubilant cheering crowds
no smiled greetings from vendors at traffic lights/on the streets/in the shops

just a stunned disbelieving quietness
just deep, tired  lines etched on the kind , caring faces around me

today …

and we turn into tomorrow
knowing that we are still here
just where we are meant to be
that ours is not to choose to turn and face the wall
but to keep stepping with grace
over stony ground

that we are here with deep learning
each with a different calling
but with the knowing that our greatest work
is to bring peace
into our families and communities and children

is to stay connected to what is real and beautiful
the happy voice of the young boy named Perfect playing next door
and the wide eyed welcoming smile of my grandson

to keep stepping with grace
over stony ground

Photo: Jamie McLaren

Never my first choice for ear candy, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) news bulletins make for particularly depressing listening tonight.

Not known for its balanced reporting, the state broadcaster’s definition of “news” generally leaves a lot to be desired. But it is probably safe to assume that, especially during Zimbabwe’s elections, ZBC’s reports mirror the government’s (Zanu PF’s) position.

Whilst the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has yet to release election results, the news on ZBC radio tells me that “analysts” refer to a “Zanu PF landslide,” with Zanu PF winning municipal council majorities in places like Gwanda North. (Given the pesky businesses with Gukurahundi, this is difficult to believe). It also references last year’s Freedom House report, which noted an increase in Zanu PF’s support.

So yes. It is too early to say. Hopefully I will be proven wrong! But it sounds like the results which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announces will be heavily in favour of Zanu PF. They may even give Zanu PF a 2/3 majority in Parliament, which would certainly be useful to them.

Note I don’t say “the election results.” Zimbabwe’s election was flawed from the day President Mugabe proclaimed the election date. This date was conveniently in line with a judgement from the newly-formed Constitutional Court. But inconveniently illegally declared, called for unconstitutionally promulgated changes to the Electoral Act, and required the election to break its own rules, by holding Nomination Court whilst voter registration was still open. And let’s not talk about the voters’ roll or special voting.

At the time, MDC’s President (and Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister) Morgan Tsvangirai vowed he would not stand by whilst “Zimbabwe was railroaded to another illegitimate election.” But, it would appear, that is exactly what he did. In a press briefing today, he said:

This election has been a huge farce. Its credibility has been marred by administrative and legal violations which affect the legitimacy of its outcome. The outcome of this election is illegitimate. But more importantly, the shoddy manner in which it has been conducted and the consequent illegitimacy of the result will plunge this country into a serious crisis.

But, calling foul after polling has closed, makes it easy for ZBC (and others) to label him as simply a sore loser.

As Foreign Affairs pointed our recently:

If Robert Mugabe has his way, the results of Zimbabwe’s July 31, 2013, presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections will have been determined before a single ballot is cast. The wily 89-year-old autocratic president, in power for 33 years, has put in place a system of security, legal, fiscal, and administrative measures aimed at again returning his Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) to national office.

The real tragedy isn’t Zimbabweans stolen ballots. Its that they were ever allowed to cast them in an election that was illegal and unconstitutional from the day it was announced. Like Marko Phiri pointed out when Mugabe announced the election date six weeks ago, “if Mugabe can unilaterally call for polls, what is to stop him from declaring himself the winner” (regardless of whether he actually won or not).