THE government has formally written to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeking $250 million for the forthcoming constitutional referendum and harmonised elections.
STAFF REPORTER
According to a letter jointly signed by Finance minister Tendai Biti and Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa seen by NewsDay yesterday, the government had only set aside $25 million for the polls from this year’s budget.
The funds fall far short of the money needed to hold the elections that President Robert Mugabe reportedly wants held in June.
“On behalf of the government of Zimbabwe, we formally request the UNDP for assistance in mobilising resources to cover for the funding gap for both the constitutional referendum and the general elections,” reads part of the letter dated February 4.
The move by the inclusive government to ask international donors to finance the polls is a big climbdown by Zanu PF which has always insisted that national processes must not be funded by foreigners.
Zanu PF almost disrupted the constitution-making process after the party’s hardliners queried the involvement of UNDP.
Parliament this week endorsed the draft constitution paving the way for the referendum expected next month.
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UNDP provided $21 million for the constitution-making process, which cost in excess of $45 million.
“Allow us on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe to appreciate the increase in support rendered to the government of Zimbabwe during the constitution-making exercise, which the country is now working to bring to a logical conclusion,” wrote Chinamasa and Biti.
“We would like therefore to inform you that on the 11 of January 2013, principals in the inclusive government instructed Treasury through the Prime Minister’s office to mobilise additional resources for the conduct of the two processes.”
The Ministry of Finance recently released $2 million to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for voter registration, but the money was said to be inadequate.
