DATE=03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287542

TITLE=ZIMBABWE ELECTION / COMMONWEALTH (S)

BYLINE=CHALLISS McDONOUGH

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Commonwealth observer team has condemned the Zimbabwean presidential elections as deeply flawed. As V-O-A's Challiss McDonough reports from Harare, the move could trigger sanctions against Zimbabwe.

TEXT: Election observers from the Commonwealth group of nations say the Zimbabwean presidential poll was conducted in a climate of fear and suspicion.

The leader of the observer mission, former Nigerian head of state Abdusalami Abubakar, says the elections were marred by a high level of politically motivated violence and intimidation -- mainly carried out by supporters of the ruling party, ZANU-P-F.

/// ABUBAKAR ACT ///

The conditions in Zimbabwe did not adequately allow for a free expression of will by the electors.

/// END ACT ///

Commonwealth nations discussed imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe at a heads-of-government meeting in Australia earlier this month. The heavily divided group decided to delay taking any action until they had heard from their observer team after the poll.

The Commonwealth observers hope to finish their final report on the poll in the next few days. Three nations -- Nigeria, South Africa and Australia -- will form a committee to decide what to do based on that report. (Signed)

NEB/CM/KL