MDC-T says Zimbabwe cannot afford to hold another contested election

The Movement for Democratic Change has called for comprehensive electoral reforms, including totally dismantling the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission secretariat, saying Zimbabwe cannot afford to have another contested election.

Party spokesman Obert Gutu said the push for electoral reforms was now being advanced by 18 political parties under the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA).

“As president Morgan Tsvangirai has lucidly pointed out to the media, it would be utter and complete folly for the MDC to blindly go into an election without reforms,” Gutu said in a statement.

“We have learnt the bitter lesson that the ZANU-PF regime will always rig any election that is conducted without electoral reforms. Once beaten, twice shy.

“As Election 2018 fast approaches, it is critical for the Parliament of Zimbabwe to play a leading role in setting out a well –defined and precise roadmap to the next election. Zimbabwe cannot afford the luxury of holding another contested election in 2018.”

The MDC-T said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) should be adequately capacitated by way of both financial and material resources; way before the next general elections.

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front should also immediately desist from improperly interfering with the operations of ZEC.

“ZEC, as provided for by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, should be completely independent and should not bow down to the whims and fantasies of any politician, be it from the ruling party or from the opposition,” Gutu said.

“The MDC, together with all the other political parties under the NERA platform, calls upon the ZEC secretariat to be totally dismantled to allow for the creation of a professional and non-partisan administration. 

“All CIO operatives and other State agents who presently constitute the greater component of the ZEC secretariat should be immediately removed. Election 2018 should be an opportunity for Zimbabwe to open a new and fresh chapter of holding free and fair elections.”

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