We are accustomed to Biti’s fantasies but were disappointed that President Zuma is apparently content to allow the elections to go ahead without the reforms ‘provided there is commitment on both sides of the political divide that the polls would not be preceded by violence and anything that would produce a contested outcome’.
So no plans to stop the security services interfering in the elections? No cleansing of the voters’ roll? No purge of the partisan electoral commission? No opening up of the airwaves? In short, no guarantee of a level playing field?
The Vigil supports the call by Human Rights Watch for the EU to continue targeted sanctions until free and fair elections have been held. And we urge the EU not to contribute to the $250 million begging bowl Biti is sending around to pay for the referendum and elections unless the EU is allowed to send observers.
Post published in: News