“The electorate should seize the opportunity to punish corrupt, non-performing officials through the ballot,” said Pasirayi. He said the electorate should find out what MPs delivered during their tenure of office. CCDZ is holding educative outreach meetings and road shows around the country to help the electorate make informed decisions at the polls.
The meetings are meant to avoid possible voter apathy and to capacitate the electorate to scrutinise participating political parties and individual candidates ahead of elections. “We are educating the electorate on the importance of participating in electoral processes. We advise people that it is their responsibility and right to know who they are voting for,” said Pasirayi.
A survey conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Research predicted widespread voter apathy due to political intimidation and voter fatigue. There are also fears that 2008 agents of terror will continue to threaten the electorate .
Pasirayi said their voter education initiative was mainly targeting women, the youth and new voters. He described youths and women as important agents of change and development.
“Given the opportunity, women and youths will be agents of change and development. More so if they occupy offices of influence such as that of ward councillor and Member of Parliament.” To achieve its objective of mobilising voters to participate peacefully in coming elections, CCDZ established voters’ clubs, peace committees and communication relay systems in local communities.
Voters’ committees encourage members of the community to register and cast their vote in coming elections. Peace committees promote peace and political tolerance among communities. “For free and fair elections to be achieved, people must embrace each other and desist from violent behaviour.”
Relay systems are used to spread information and CCDZ campaign material in Zanu (PF) declared no go areas. The campaign material comprises voter education regalia and reading material.
Post published in: News