The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, among other Civil Society groups, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Maputo on June 15 warned that there was need for more time and better preparation for the 2013 harmonized elections. Since the proclamation of the Election day, there has been ample evidence that ZEC and the country are clearly not ready to stage a peaceful, free, fair and credible election. Amongst the telling signs have been the following, which are not conclusive: The partisan nature that state broadcaster and newspapers continue to carry out their work with no sanctions and action by ZEC as it is constitutionally mandated to do. The fact that ZEC, save for the deceit of publicly calling for written applications, also employed delaying tactics to accrediting civil society organizations for voter education and observation until the mobile voter registration process lapsed on July 9, making the issue of our exclusion a fait accompli. The exclusionary nature of the voter registration exercise which left thousands of Zimbabweans who were willing to register stranded without recourse after ZEC refused to extend the registration period in spite of the fact that the constitution allows it to, but more importantly to uphold the principle of inclusion and allowing everyone who wants to participate to do so. The continued opaqueness around the availability and sourcing of funds to run the election. The disputes around the timing and legal framework and pre-requisites for the elections. The clear and accurate assessment by the facilitator and SADC on the state of readiness of Zimbabwe to conduct elections and the minimum reforms that are required to do so with some credibility. The consistent calls for reforms and a salubrious environment by CSO’s. The Zimbabwe Elections Commission is carrying the expectations and hopes of millions of Zimbabweans, some of whom are beginning to think that ZEC’s shambolic display may be for deceitful reasons, which remain mysterious and are not for the good of the Republic of Zimbabwe. crisiszimbabwe.org/
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:31:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015