But there is absolutely no voter education taking place. The campaign for nationwide elections has got off to a subdued start, shadowed by security fears and marked by the chronic disorganization that characterizes most large-scale endeavours.
So far only the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has launched its election manifesto. Out in Zimbabwe's vast hinterlands, many candidates for provincial assemblies are staying home, saying traditional campaign activities such as rallies would be far too dangerous.
Tatenda Mazarura, the spokesperson for the Election Resource Centre, an election watchdog advocating for the return of democracy, told The Zimbabwean that the organisation is building structures throughout the country, including rural areas, and reported that there was no voter education to indicate that the country could be a few months from a crucial vote.
Voters’ clubs set up
"The ERC intends to create 9 111 voters’ clubs based on the 2008 polling stations," Mazarura said. "So far, the project is running in Umzingwane, Sanyati, Mutasa, Gokwe, Masvingo, Marondera, Hurungwe, Harare and Chitungwiza.
For the Umzingwane, Mutasa and Sanyati districts, there are currently 66 Ward Voters’ Clubs out of a total of 71 wards in the three districts. The Voters’ Clubs comprise of 30 people each thus we have at least 1, 980 members in Umzingwane, Sanyati and Mutasa Districts."
She said the function of the Voters Club was to mobilize communities to register and inspect the voter`s register in their area, monitor the voting and counting processes during elections, disseminate voter information, mobilise communities to go out and vote, and mobilise communities to defend the people`s vote.
Mazarura said the Voters Club community-based structures were composed of civil society activists residing in the vicinity of a given electoral site who are empowered to drive electoral processes within their communities.
They would act as a platform for crowd sourcing and citizen reporting initiatives, providing election resource persons, and also as a platform for peace-building initiatives.
More importantly, said Mazarura, it was a violence deterrence mechanism that would also promote the participation of marginalized groups like women and youth in the electoral processes.
Demolish bases – ZESN
Meanwhile, another election watchdog, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network observers reported that 'bases' have been set up in Mudzi, Kotwa, Muzarabani South at Chiwashira, Mazowe at Fox Farm, Mazowe at Negomo, Mazowe at Nzvimbo Council Hall, Rushinga at Kasanga Primary School and Chakari Hall.
"We strongly reiterate our call for the demolition of these structures of violence which continue to perpetuate an atmosphere of fear in communities," ZESN said in a statement signed by chairman Tinoziva Bere and the director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava.
The impoverished Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, led by Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, has not yet initiated any voter education campaign.
Zanu (PF)'s administration secretary, said last week a meeting of the Politburo called to discuss Zanu (PF) primary elections, the ruling party's manifesto and its launch date had been called off at the last minute as the majority of members were out of the country on business..
The ruling party has also not finalized its list of official candidates, as many constituencies now have more than one candidate angling to represent Zanu (PF).
11 to vie for Presidency
The next ballot is likely to be laden with up to a dozen presidential candidates, most of whom are considered to have little chance of victory. The only qualifications for running for president are holding Zimbabwean citizenship and being at least 40 years old.
Among parties eager to field candidates are Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, Zapu led by Dumiso Dabengwa, Zanu Ndonga, Zapu FP, Mass Christians Democrats, PUMA, Zapu led by Madlela, Zidele, United People’s Party, Voice of the People, MDC-99, MDC-N, ANC and the three parties in the ruling coalition, Zanu (PF), MDC-T and MDC.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News