Zanu PF anti-dialogue!!!!

The announcement by the Zanu PF’s Electoral Commission (ZEC) that it has proceeded to delimit constituencies despite the on-going SADC-brokered talks is a major scandal that has shocked all Zimbabweans who are determined to have a free and fair poll next year.
Zanu PF’s latest antics come in the wake of a national executive meeting on Wednesday which demanded that the regime makes tangible deliverables to show their sincerity in the dialogue process. The party resolved that as part of the deliverables, ZEC should be reconstituted to institute a fresh voter registration process and delimit constituencies thereafter.ZEC’s composition is a scandal. It is staffed with former military personnel, Zanu PF functionaries and individuals whose identities are suspect. Zanu PF doled out 143 constituencies to rural areas which are susceptible to intimidation and manipulation. The remainder are urban and peri-urban constituencies.
The MDC believes that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, as currently constituted, has become a weapon to puncture people’s confidence in electoral processes.  Delimitation as a process to enhance a free and fair poll has been hijacked to suit Zanu PF’s interest against the spirit of the dialogue process.
Under Amendment No 18, only a reconstituted ZEC should engage in a fresh exercise of voter registration and delimitation. It is ironic that before the conclusion of the talks, Zanu PF is nicodemously and nocturnally imposing its will and antics in an attempt to evade the obvious people’s harsh verdict in 2008.

 

The MDC calls on the region (SADC) and the African Union (AU) in particular and the international community at large to put pressure on the regime to stick to the spirit of dialogue and to respect the will of the people.  

 

They want independent electoral institutions and electoral management bodies that guarantee the safety of their vote. They are not demanding the moon. They simply want the regime to adhere to the SADC guidelines on the conduct of free and fair elections which demand that a truly independent body must run and manage elections.

 

The people are determined to have an election which will change their lives, not just a ritual of an election which yet again produces a predetermined outcome.

 

A new Zimbabwe is only possible through free and fair elections.  A new Zimbabwe, a new beginning. Now is the time!!!

 

Nelson Chamisa, MP

Secretary for Information and Publicity