“Programmes that seek to promote dialogue and accountable leadership are major crowd pullers,” he said. Public excitement is also driven by the zeal to participate in the referendum and elections.
“People have realised that failure to meaningfully participate in these critical national processes will result in failure to positively influence service delivery and accountable leadership,” added Pasirayi.
“At the functions organised by civil society we feel free to voice our concerns and fears as we are given immediate solutions. Our ignorance is also cleared. For instance, we were misled by politicians and partisan officers at the Registar’s office that it was not yet time to register as voters. CCDZ advised us that registration of voters was an ongoing process,” said Mbuya Nhemiya of Goromonzi.
Villagers in Chinhoyi said they were eager to be informed about the electoral process, especially the status of the voters’ role and secrecy of the ballot.
“Under the umbrella of civic organisations we have been assisted to organise our own structures such as residents associations or join CCDZ local level structures called Community Working Groups, Voters Clubs and Peace Committees. Such organisations play a major role regarding promotion of women participation in politics. As a woman I now feel part of society and empowered to participate in the electoral process and local government programmes to ensure gender inequalities are addressed,” said Esther Ngoni of Murewa. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has taken community participation a step further through its newsletter and its educational and answer and question sessions regarding the electoral process.
Post published in: News