The National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) youth forum has distanced itself from the week-long national shutdown that was called for by social movement Tajamuka/Sesjikile, claiming their mandate is only to lobby for electoral reforms.
BY STAFF REPORTER
This week Tajamuka had called for action, but the call seems to have fallen on deaf ears as people ignored their much-publicised week of action.
At their Press conference early this week, Tajamuka members were accompanied by some youths who purportedly claimed to be representing the electoral lobby group.
However, in a statement yesterday, Nera distanced itself from the call.
“As Nera youth forum, we would like to make it clear that we are not part of the so-called week-long actions. Our mandate as Nera is to fight for electoral reforms,” the statement read.
“Some individuals purporting to be representing Nera went to a hastily-organised Press conference [on Monday]. We take it they went there in their individual capacities as no notification was given to the Nera youth executive, Nera main wing
executive and even the Nera convener was not consulted nor notified.”
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The youth forum said they were concentrating on provincial rallies where they were calling upon the youths to participate in next year’s harmonised elections, as well as encouraging others to take part in the elections.
“We as Nera are, however, focusing on the ongoing youth rallies where we are educating the youth and the people of Zimbabwe on the importance of registering to vote. To us this is paramount.
“We will not allow anything or any sideshows to sidetrack us from that important part of the 2018 campaign. Alongside our rallies, we are filing a number of court cases against Zec [Zimbabwe Electoral Commission]. After our countrywide rallies, we will then launch nationwide demonstrations as part of our final push for reforms.”
However, Tajamuka spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi insisted Nera and the social movement shared the same objectives.
“As far as we are concerned, we have got very good working relations and we have the same objectives. If there are changes, well, we are not aware of them,” Mkwananzi said.
