An n exu re: Ea r ly Wa r n in g
I nd i cato r s
T
COMMUNITY
embedded monitors
for ZPP monitor and
document information
against
several
indicators. The list below is a sample
of some of the information collected
against defined criteria and attributes.
The indicators are designed to track,
monitor and record all possible signs of
potential electoral violence ahead of the
2018 election, with a view to coming
up with appropriate intervention and
response measures. The idea is however
not just to forecast potential electoral
violence. It is also to try and anticipate its
potential nature, scope and scale so that
appropriate measures may be fashioned.
This exercise is important as it allows
civil society organisations to come up
with appropriate intervention measures
such as private engagement with the
parties concerned, the government
and the law enforcement agencies,
and public and private lobbying with
critical actors such as Parliament, other
public oversight bodies, and strategic
regional and international bodies. The
exercise helps stakeholders to plan other
necessary response measures such as the
strengthening of referral mechanisms
like medical response, legal referrals, the
preparation of shelters and safe houses
for victims, measures for the relocation
of victims and potential victims, etc.
Lastly, the exercise is also important for
Food and grain reserves (rural areas, manipulation)
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documentation purposes. The process
will provide empirical and credible
evidence that is usable for various
purposes, including the preparation
of human rights reports, potential
prosecutions etc. The process will also
feed into constitutional processes such
as those undertaken by the Zimbabwean
Human Rights Commission and the
National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission to promote human rights
and seek redress for victims of human
rights violations.
A systematic rise in incidents of intimidation and/or political violence across the country as the election draws closer;
Setting up of torture bases
Recruitment and training of youth militia/brigade
Cases of political and legal persecution of senior opposition members or prominent leaders in civil society, usual through
arrests and prosecution on trumped up charges, beatings, etc.;
An increase in hate speech, that is, direct or indirect threats of violence; incitement to violence and; intimidating utterances
by senior government or ruling party officials directed at the opposition, civil society, dissenting voices or the electorate in
general;
Negative statements and pronounced political rhetoric against the opposition, civil society and other dissenting voices;
An increase in political rallies, political meetings, or other activities by the ruling party at local levels and in places perceived
to be opposition strongholds and a converse increase of opposition activities in traditional ruling party strongholds;
Increased movement of external actors in communities, military and party vehicles;
Incidents or alleged incidents of violence or other criminal conduct by the opposition or civil society activists;
Politicized or politicisation of past grievances.
Ideologies based on extremism or rather supremacy of a particular group over another