ZESN thrashes referendum timeline

Government has set 16 March as the date for the referendum.

However, ZESN on Friday said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was not given sufficient time to prepare for a credible referendum.

“The date also raises questions about the ZEC having sufficient time to organise a credible referendum consistent with the laws of Zimbabwe as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and international principles and guidelines governing the conduct of democratic elections,” ZESN said in a statement.

“The political decision to hold the referendum undermines the ability of the ZEC to enhance its capacity to conduct the election or strengthen its credibility with stakeholders and this might be a missed opportunity.”

ZESN expressed concern that government set 16 March as the date for the referendum before gazetting the draft constitution as per international standards.

The electoral monitoring body said the set referendum date will also disturb schooling as most polling stations are located at schools.

“Further, ZESN is concerned that the referendum date was set before the draft was published in the government Gazette. In addition, citizens are yet to examine and study the draft as copies have not yet been availed to the public and plans for civic education by COPAC have not yet been implemented.

“ZESN also realises that the proposed date will have the potential to disturb the already shortened school calendar given that most of the polling stations are normally located in schools and most teachers also serve as polling officials,” ZESN added.

Zanu (PF), ZAPU and the MDC’s have urged their supporters to vote YES to the draft constitution.

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) has said it will oppose the draft, arguing that the making of the draft constitution was flawed and was not people-driven.

The NCA has also threatened to take legal action against the government for unilaterally announcing referendum dates.