Nearly 4 000 MDC-T members submit CVs to contest coming elections

3. Election Preparedness

Within the context of independence, it is important to restate that the party remains strong and ready to participate in the forthcoming polls. Our liberation struggle was mainly about one-man-one-vote and we stand ready to participate in a truly free, fair and credible plebiscite.

To attest to our readiness, the party’s Elections directorate has received CVs from aspiring candidates who wish to stand in the local government and parliamentary polls. We have received a total of 3 911 CVs from aspiring candidates and this attests to the willingness of Zimbabweans to represent the party at both parliamentary and local government level.

Our preparation is well on course and in the next few weeks, we will have a complete panel of candidates that will represent the party at all levels.

We are determined to meet the 50 percent threshold for women and the 20 percent youth quota in line with the constitution and the resolutions of the supreme organs of the party.

3.1 Electoral reforms

Last month, we launched our Plan and Environment for a Credible Election (PEACE). That document has 10 key demands of what we want addressed if we are to have an undisputed election.

We will do all that is possible to ensure that Zimbabweans are given a chance to freely express their sovereign will in fair and credible poll.

Our 10 demands include, but are not limited to:

1. Independence of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC), including the independence and professionalization of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Secretariat.

2. The creation of an authentic biometric voters’ roll properly audited and signed off by all stakeholders.

3. Full disclosure and transparency around the ballot paper, its technical status, its printing and its distribution thereof.

4. The complete de-securitisation of election institutions and the electoral process, incorporating the exclusion of Zimbabwe’s security sector from managing the incumbent ZANU PF’s election campaign.

5. Provision for Zimbabweans residing in the Diaspora to vote in the election.

6. Media reforms allowing for equal access to public media by all contenders in the election.

7. The enactment of major amendments to the Electoral Law and the repealing of restrictive laws such as: the Public Order Security Act (POSA); Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA); and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).

8. Allowing entry of international monitors and supervisors at least 3 months before the 2018 election and provision for the United Nations to supervise the poll.

9. Absence of violence and intimidation before, during and after the election.

10. Political impartiality of traditional leaders, including abolition of politicized food aid in election campaigns.

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