CALLS for Zimbabwe to hold United Nations-supervised and monitored elections could not have come at a more opportune time, given the country is already in election mode with several political outfits preparing for the forthcoming 2018 polls.
NEWSDAY COMMENT
It is important for Zimbabwe to hold undisputed harmonised polls. Given the fact the 2008 and 2013 elections produced disputed results, there is no doubt that all political players would support the move to have UN-observed elections in the country.
Zimbabweans do not want a repeat of the bloody 2008 presidential election run-off, which reportedly resulted in over 300 opposition activists being brutalised and some killed after President Robert Mugabe was defeated by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first round.
Hence, the call by the European Union (EU) to observe the 2018 elections is indeed a noble idea, particularly in view of the fact that the European bloc is giving technical support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec). There is no doubt that this will also ensure a clean poll in the eyes of the international community and allow many Zimbabweans to rebuild their country without the shadow of violence.
If Mugabe does not have anything to hide, he should simply accede to the call and can be assured of the support of Zimbabweans.
After years of bickering between Mugabe’s regime and the EU, this indeed may be an opportune time to break the deadlock and create a new working relationship beneficial to both parties.
- 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
Zimbabwe is currently facing a debilitating economic logjam and cannot afford another disputed poll. The best way, therefore, to break the gridlock is to make provision for UN-supervised or monitored elections in 2018.
As the EU is providing financial and technical assistance to Zec in the build-up to the poll, it surely makes sense that the bloc continues right through the elections and the period immediately after.
This will give time for the country, long perceived as a pariah by the EU and the United States, to comply with regional and international best practices, as well as Sadc principles and guidelines and find acceptance among nation states.
It appears the opposition are rooting for internationally-supervised elections. This, therefore, means that the outcome will produce an acceptable winner whether Mugabe retains the Presidency or not.
We believe Zanu PF must also work together with other political players to create a conducive environment for the holding of the 2018 elections, unless they are not sincere that they would like to see a free and fair election.
This is probably Zanu PF’s best chance to prove to all and sundry that they are prepared to play fair and put to rest opposition claims that the ruling party cannot win a free and fair election in which the Executive has no role to play.
Being a signatory to Sadc, African Union and UN provisions governing the conduct of elections, it is important for Mugabe to ensure that Zimbabwe complies with the requirements, lest the country remains a laughing stock in international politics.
Past failures to comply with certain conditions have made it virtually impossible for the local opposition and other African countries, as well as the West, to oversee electoral processes without impartial international observers and monitors in the country.
There is also need to ensure the role of the Executive is defined, particularly with regard to preparing and running an election in which the incumbent, in this case Mugabe, will be a candidate as well.
In essence, Mugabe role’s in the election must also be agreed by all parties that will contest in the 2018 election, especially if he is the Zanu PF candidate, to ensure free and fair polls.
