MDC-T leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday demanded the full implementation of electoral reforms before the forthcoming harmonised elections this year as agreed to by coalition government partners and guaranteed by Sadc and the AU.
Report by Moses Matenga
Addressing a Press conference at MDC-T headquarters in Harare, Tsvangirai said while the process of the roadmap was being dealt with, there were many “software and hardware” issues that have to be addressed if Zimbabwe was to hold a credible election, key among them reforms that were agreed to by political parties and global political agreement (GPA) principals.
He also said he will next week visit players within Sadc and AU to ensure that Zimbabwe was guaranteed a free and fair election that would usher in a new dispensation.
At the formation of the inclusive government four years ago, parties agreed on minimum electoral conditions which include security sector realignment and media reforms, realignment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission secretariat, security of the vote and election results and invitation of election observers six months before and after the polls.
Other conditions include ward-based nationwide voter education, inclusivity in the selection and deployment of polling officers, electoral law amendments and reforms.
Tsvangirai accused President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party of throwing spanners into the electoral roadmap and blocking implementation of reforms.
“There shall be no election before reforms are implemented. I did not say I will not participate in an election. Reforms first, then elections later. We want elections as soon as possible, but I am just saying let’s implement what we agreed on and we go for elections,” Tsvangirai said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“The ball lies squarely on (Zanu PF leader) President Robert) Mugabe and Zanu PF to agree and commit selves to the implementation. This has been a stumbling block and a big challenge.”
Tsvangirai added: “I will be visiting players within Sadc and the AU to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe are guaranteed a free and fair election that will usher in a new dispensation. The visit is scheduled for this coming week and I will be visiting a number of heads of State and government updating them on preparedness for elections and the problems we are facing, especially on implementation because they are stakeholders.”
The Premier’s tough stance follows recent utterances by top Zanu PF officials — among them Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, National Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi and Justice and Legal Affairs minister Patrick Chinamasa — dismissing MDC-T’s demand for security sector reforms as “nonsensical”.
“The role of the security sector in this election must be clearly defined in line with international best practices. The security sector must be professional, impartial and non-partisan and desist from overtly making partisan political statements and abusing State resources to further their narrow partisan interests. Security forces are a national asset belonging to the people of Zimbabwe for peace and tranquility and not the opposite,” Tsvangirai said.
The security sector has been a thorny issue since the formation of the inclusive government four years after senior army officials openly declared their allegiance to Zanu PF and vowed not to recognise Tsvangirai in the event that he wins the next presidential election.
Turning to the voters’ roll, Tsvangirai said: “While the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must be responsible for everything to do with elections, there are disturbing reports of the involvement of spooky and shadowy elements in civilian issues of the voters’ roll and registration, with the Registrar-General (Tobaiwa Mudede) being the civilian face and force of this murky system.”
He said the electoral environment should be peaceful to ensure the electorate makes a free choice.
“All Zimbabweans must vote in peace without intimidation, victimisation, violence or being forced to attend a political meeting of this or that party. No ‘bases’ and vigilante groups in our villages, suburbs or communities. The people’s will must be respected and guaranteed.
“Political parties need to be involved in ballot paper design and auditing, production process and distribution of ballots as was successfully done in Zambia and Kenya,” he said.
