Zimbabwe's election supervisory body says parliamentary poll free and fair

Zimbabwe's Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) said on Friday it is satisfied with the parliamentary election held last week, saying it was conducted in a manner that "allowed people to vote freely."

The ESC chairperson, Theophilus Gambe, said this during a press conference on the conduct of the March 31 election.

"We are satisfied that the elections were conducted fairly, transparently and efficiently in a manner that permitted the electorate to exercise their will freely," he said.

Gambe said the ESC shared the views expressed by several other groups that observed the election, which have all commended the professional and competent manner in which it was held.

Observer groups from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa have described the election as free and fair.

Concerns have however been raised at the high number of people turned away from polling stations for various reasons.

There were also concerns at the level of voter education as well as the amount of media coverage provided to opposition political parties.

"The ESC is working on areas of improvement and these will be covered in report to be presented to the president," he said.

The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front won the election with 78 seats out of the 120 contested while to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change got 41. One seat went to an independent candidate.

The opposition and a number of western countries have condemned the poll as "flawed."