CCJP, which has been collating election data, said the whole process was riddled with confusion and illegality and the constraints surrounding it were too widespread and severe for a credible election to take place.
In a damning report by the CCJP, the first substantial analysis by any church group on the political situation ahead of the general election, the group stated that Constitutional amendments introduced in November to improve the fair compilation of lists of voters had made little difference so far.
“In reality, the situation is still the same as it was before the amendments. The prevailing electoral environment is not conducive to free and fair elections because the voter registration process limits the full participation of all citizens,” says the report.
Media and security laws “continue to be an obstacle to the freedoms required for the preparation and conduct of a free and fair election” despite token reforms.
The dominant official media and the sole state-run broadcast station were not giving election contestants fair exposure, and the state-dominated Zimbabwe Electoral Commission did not conform with the November constitutional changes and its composition of mainly pro-government officials was therefore illegal, the group said.
“We strongly recommend that the old ZEC be dissolved with immediate effect and a new one be appointed in terms of the law,” it said. It added that “the voter registration procedures had been cumbersome” and had undermined trust among many Zimbabweans in the secrecy of the ballot and have raised fears of vote rigging.
“Preparation and voter education to explain the changes to the electorate has been inadequate with the result that confusion continues to exist as to how they (elections) are to be conducted,” it said.
The MDC (Tsvangirai) wants the elections postponed to June to allow time for political reforms agreed with Zanu (PF) at the Pretoria talks.
However, in spite of the glaring need for political reforms, many Zimbabweans, including the opposition are desirous of forging ahead with the elections.
The CCJP implored Mugabe and other political leaders to ensure an immediate end to “gross” bias in favour of the government by the state media and recommended an urgent campaign to educate voters.
Post published in: News