We have come a long way to be here today. The current government which took over from former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017 did so under the pretext that it was going to ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2018.
What we are currently witnessing is a regime that simply talks but does not intend to hold credible elections. We are moving towards a violent free but illegitimate election.
The Zimbabwe constitution in s156 on the conduct of elections and referendums states that:
At every election and referendum, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must ensure that-
(a) whatever voting method is used, it is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent;…
(c) appropriate systems and mechanisms are put in place-
(i) to eliminate electoral violence and other electoral malpractices; and
(ii) to ensure the safekeeping of electoral materials.
Our supreme law clearly envisages a verifiable, secure and transparent election. No one can therefore deny Zimbabweans this entrenched right.
Because of our history of manipulated elections in Zimbabwe, the crisis of credible elections is born out of the mistrust between the government and the people which can only be cured if ZEC and government conducts electoral processes in the utmost transparent manner.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which is constitutionally charged with the administration of elections has shown that it is either incapable or unwilling to provide Zimbabweans with a verifiable, secure and transparent election as required by our law and international standards governing democratic elections.
There has been an insensitive disregard for the principles of transparency. Among other very pertinent issues;
5.ZEC has allowed the state media to run a smear campaign against opposition candidates.
Our Constitution is very clear in section 155 that a candidate must “have reasonable access to all material and information necessary for them to participate effectively”. These materials include the voters roll in its final form and the process of printing ballot papers. ZEC has so far failed to meet these requirements.
Continued next page
(908 VIEWS)
This post was last modified on July 4, 2018 11:06 am
The role of social media on how people get their news in Zimbabwe is being…
Ten African countries are amongst the biggest debtors to China, but Zimbabwe is not among…
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Monetary Policy Committee, which met on Friday last week, says…
Zimbabwe’s new currency further weakened to 13.4407 to the United States dollar today down from…
The United States lost its place as the most influential global power in Africa last…
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mushayavanhu says street money changers who cash in…
View Comments