CHALLENGING RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION OF THE LAW IN ZIMBABWE.

In June 2000, a general election was held in Zimbabwe. Of the 120 commonroll constituencies, 62 were won by the ruling party, ZANU(PF) and 57 by theMovement for Democratic Change (MDC). The MDC alleged that the generalelection campaign was marred by widespread violence, intimidation and illegalpractices. As a result proceedings were instituted in the High Court challengingthe outcome of the electoral process in 37 constituencies. The hearings weredue to commence in January 2001. On 8 December the President issued theElectoral Act (Modification) (No. 3) Notice, 2000 (SI 318/2000), which purportedto justify the validation of the election results by reference to a series of assertions.