Democratic Alliance representatives in Zimbabwe this evening have formally indicated that they will not sign the SADC observer mission's preliminary report on the elections held yesterday.

The DA has objected to this report on the basis that it pays lip service to very material defects in the carrying out of the poll and because it ignores the fundamentally undemocratic environment that has been created in Zimbabwe over the last eight years. These factors combined have ensured that there is no way that the SADC observer mission can conclude that, "despite a number of concerns, the elections were a peaceful and credible expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe ". It is noteworthy that the words free and fair have not been used, which is the only standard with which to judge an election. Just like in 2005 it seems that there is an attempt to legitimise a fatally flawed election by ignoring this standard.

The SADC observer mission preliminary report notes with "concern" the following:

1. The threats made by the armed services to ignore the results of the election;

2. The use of state resources for party political purposes;

3. Inadequate polling station distribution; and

4. The presence of police officers in polling stations.

Furthermore, the SADC observers found that all rallies were freely held and no violence was observed.

The preliminary report, in an almost carbon copy of recommendations made in 2005, highlights the need for more access to state media, great voter education, improvements at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and a clampdown on the use of state resources for party political purposes.

All of these factors deserved to be noted with more than mere concern, but rather as factors that have destroyed any chance to hold a free and fair election. Based on DA representatives' observations and interactions with a variety of Zimbabwean civil society actors, the following view is held:

1. The organisation of the elections was chaotic. There were 3 million extra ballots printed (it has been rumoured that these were being placed in key voting stations by the army in urban areas);

2. The presence of police officers in polling stations was a direct intimidatory threat as these were the same police officers who have terrorised opposition supporters for the last eight years - including assaulting MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai;

3. Political rallies were cancelled at the last minute and the DA has documentary proof of violence and torture of opposition members including hospital records which were given to the DA representatives. These were subsequently passed onto the to the delegation SADC observer mission head;

4. The extensive use of state patronage - handing out of food, medical supplies etc. at ZANU PF rallies.

5. The lack of accreditation to observe the counting of ballots and the announcement of results mitigates against proper scrutiny of the poll.

6. The threat by security chiefs to ignore an opposition victory has created the very real fear of a possible coup. When asked if action had been taken against these officials, ANC members of the SADC delegation laughed with amusement;

7. The immediate post-election environment has been characterised by fear and rumours, despite evidence which points to widespread and convincing MDC victories no preliminary results have been released. The lack of information underscores the fear that vote rigging is taking place.

The DA has given notice of its intention to submit a full report detailing its findings to the head of the SADC delegation as soon as possible. It is impossible for this deeply flawed electoral process to be viewed as a credible expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe . Accounts from our observers as well as from other sources within Zimbabwe indicate that the opposition MDC has won majorities in most areas - if this is not reflected in the results, this will be yet another indication that the election was rigged in favour of ZANU PF.

If the South African government helps to rubber stamp this election, it will send the message that it does not understand the meaning or spirit of democracy.