ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2010 • State Institutions: ZESN continued to advocate for fundamental institutional reform as a key to restoring lasting rule of law. ZESN urged that reform be done to ensure that State Institutions and or their heads resume their non-partisan professional roles and support rather than undermine democracy. As the year progressed repression intensified as did selective prosecution of political activists as well as human rights defenders. The year ended with ZESN firmly convinced that the conditions on the ground militated against the holding of free and fair elections. Overview of ZESN board's work When I joined ZESN I assumed that the work of the board involved merely independent and fearless leadership. I was correct save that that was not all. As each year has come I have realized that the demands upon the board are ever changing. In the year under review the board at its annual retreat started review of the organisation's constitutional framework in order to ensure that the next 10 years are founded on a solid constitutional and policy framework. The board also started to meticulously review and address staff welfare and regulatory framework through an independent job evaluation. We are confident when completed this exercise will result in a more transparent staff structure that values the team correctly, motivate them more and responds to the ever changing needs of ZESN. We are also confident the more demanding selfreview of our constitutional framework will respond adequately to member needs and concerns as well as clarify and improve board oversight and policy making role. We are pleased to have started and are excited at the prospects. Parallel to all this “internal house-cleaning”, as I termed it, was an intensive electoral sector leadership role. We sought and achieved review of past electoral activities, review of the electoral cycle, identification of programming gaps in the electoral cycle, common understanding of minimum conditions for holding of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, creation of common specialization clusters and mapping and planning the entire sector. The best part was we were able to do this with 4 practically every Civil Society Organisation that has worked on or is interested in elections. Not only did we bring together the members, we also brought to the table non members, professionals, academia and our partners. At the same time as we looked outside of ZESN, the board increased its oversight over management and programmes and adopted a strategy to objectively and professionally address challenges while maximizing ZESN's strengths. A lot continued to be achieved in programme delivery throughout the year despite limited resources. The board commends Management and staff for prudence and diligence in utilization of resources. I am also pleased to report that as in previous years our audit preparedness and audit reports continue to improve. In spite of a delay in establishment of a recommended committee system by the capacity assessment report, the board continues to seek increased accountability through the Management Committee and the recent reaffirmation of the Treasurer's Constitutional role. Conclusion In conclusion I note that ZESN remains as relevant as when it first opened its doors. As I said at the start, ZESN celebrates a decade of service to the cause of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. The times we live in may make us feel like the work is only beginning, but the wealth of knowledge and the skill and track record that ZESN wields today is a 10 year investment of value to the immediate and long term future of this country. ZESN is as relevant today as it was 10 years ago and our cause is as urgent today as it was when we started 10 years ago. With no team, board, membership and funding partners, this would have been impossible. Thank you to all for a successful 2010, a successful ten years. Tinoziva Bere ZESN Board Chairperson PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE