News / National

by Staff reporter

EU Chief Observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo says he is amazed by state media claims his observer mission was keen to interfere with Zimbabwe's electoral processes to try and discredit next Wednesday's poll.A state newspaper on Friday accused the observer mission of engaging in inappropriate conduct such as buying gifts for journalists so as to influence negative reportage about the Zimbabwe vote.In a statement he issued soon after touching down in Zimbabwe to lead his team Saturday, Castaldo said allegations of bias made against his mission were fabricated."The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is astounded by the defamatory and malicious accusations made in an article, published in local Zimbabwean media yesterday (Friday)."These allegations are based on unsubstantiated rumors and entirely fabricated."The EU EOM and its observers do not engage in inappropriate activities, nor does the EU EOM interfere in the process."The EU EOM adheres to a strict code of conduct," he said.Castaldo said the allegations were an attempt to discredit the election observer mission."The EU EOM has taken note of previous unacceptable attempts to discredit the mission," said the Italian lawmaker."The EU EOM sees these articles as blatant disinformation of the Zimbabwean public."They reflect a continued effort to undermine the EU EOM and credible election observation."The EU EOM continues its work, according to its mandate and methodology based on the principles of independence, impartiality and non-interference."The apparent discomfort between Zimbabwe's ruling authority and the EU observer mission stems from nearly two decades of tensions between Harare and the EU.The rich bloc imposed sanctions on the then Robert Mugabe led administration 2003 accusing the late founding leader of presiding over poll fraud, rights abuses and unbridled corruption.The EU observer missions have also in the past been bold enough to condemn Zimbabwean polls as a sham, drawing angry reactions from the Zanu-PF led government.