AS the country moves inexorably towards elections to usher in a new government, the continued bickering over issues pertaining to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) by parties in the inclusive government remains a major cause of concern. Editorial Comment
The recent meeting held by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa with Zec officials seemed to be a major move towards the holding of elections that will hopefully solve the political conundrum that has stunted the country’s development.
However, Tsvangirai and Chinamasa are already at loggerheads over delays in the release of $21 million for the launch of a voter education and registration blitz scheduled to have started last week.
To add to this, Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe are also bickering over a suitable candidate to replace Zec chairperson Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, who is believed to be considering quitting the post so he can remain on the Namibian bench.
This latest episode demonstrates just how bickering between the three main parties in the inclusive government has remained a major obstacle to a country in desperate need of jobs, consistent supply of clean water and electricity and decent housing, among other necessities.
But instead of working towards the country’s development, the inclusive government has become a platform for petty point-scoring and personalities. A crying shame!
If the three parties really have the people at heart as they claim ad nauseam, then they should put their differences aside and ensure that Zec is adequately funded to carry out its crucial mandate in ensuring that not only elections take place, but that they are also free and fair. The quality of elections matters here!
The commission has already indicated it needs huge sums of money for the referendum on a new constitution and holding of the harmonised polls.
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The inclusive government should find as a matter of urgency a suitable candidate to lead the commission, a candidate that will work towards the smooth running of elections, and a candidate that is not tainted by party politics and is credible.
We sincerely hope that the Prime Minister’s meeting with Chinamasa and Zec officials today will be fruitful and produce a clear roadmap to the holding of credible elections. The country is tired of endless talk shops that do nothing to take it forward.
The time for concrete action is now!
