ELECTORAL REFORMS:
A MUST REQUIREMENT FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE.
Most Zimbabweans have understood the unfair handling of the Zimbabwe Elections by ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission), which we now know are designed to keep ZANU PF party in power through a rigging process. Therefore, we call for a substantive electoral reform in Zimbabwe.
ZEC declared the elections (August 2023) free and fair despite overwhelming evidence of rigged process, making it clear the reality that it is not a neutral organisation. The organisation is controlled by ZANU PF party.
Election Observers 2023 Final report of the Commonwealth highlighted some flaws in what they witnessed in the following statements;
- Observers witnessed tables set up in close proximity to some polling stations in Harare and Bulawayo cities by an organisation called Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ),
- and received reports that members of the organisation were allegedly recording the names and ID of voters.
- They also noted that members of FAZ were conducting citizen observation.
- Their presence fuelled allegations of voter intimidation, since, FAZ is associated with ZANU PF.
They also noted that all three ballot boxes were similar in appearance, which may have caused confusion for voters when trying to drop ballot papers in the right boxes. To assist voters in the voting process and to avoid misplaced ballot papers, ballot boxes should be different colours, corresponding to the colour of the ballot papers.
They observed, in some areas particularly Harare and Bulawayo the polling process started late. In a few instances, ballot papers were not delivered until the afternoon, with one case experiencing delays up to 19:30hrs. These delays could have influenced voter turn out, especially in these densely populated urban areas, and may have caused frustration among voters.
ZANU PF party members and their party president, ED Mnangagwa, are always telling the public on their refusal to agree on reforms, “we can’t agree to reform our ourselves out of power.” they boast/tease. ZANU PF party’s refusal to do the right thing is noted in the 2018 Zimbabwe COG Report recommendations;
- Total recommendations 54.
- Not implemented 27.