MDC noted in a statement released this afternoon that, the proclamation of the date for the coming by-elections by President Robert Mugabe was illegal, as ZEC was not yet legislatively empowered to undertake a holistic and broad – based national voter registration exercise, that would enable it to fulfil its constitutional obligation of running free, fair and credible elections in terms of Section 239 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“To show their utmost disgust and contempt at the wicked and malevolent attempts to rope them in the messy Zanu PF factional wars, the MDC calls for the immediate resignation of all commissioners of ZEC,” reads part of the statement, signed by Obert Gutu, MDC-T national spokesperson.
It was noted that commissioners of ZEC were supposed to be men and women of integrity and since they hold important public offices whose integrity should never be doubted or put into disrepute, they must refuse to be bastardised and have their reputation soiled by the ‘collapsing Zanu PF regime’.
Rita Makarau, ZEC chairperson, was singled out as a highly respected jurist who should not allow her dignity to be soiled by Zanu (PF) by going ahead with the ‘illegal’ by-elections.
The MDC added that the integrity and dignity of ZEC commissioners should be beyond reproach and should never allow themselves to be contaminated by Zanu (PF), which wants to drag ZEC into its factional fights.
“More particularly, ZEC lacks adequate human, material and financial resources to undertake any form of a voter registration program, not only in these two constituencies, but indeed throughout the length and breadth of Zimbabwe.
“ZEC is critically under-staffed and financially ill-equipped to conduct elections that will pass the test of legitimacy. Why then is the Zanu PF regime rushing to conduct by-elections in these two constituencies, at a time when everything is pointing to the holding of a sham election?
“Why should ZEC be misused and abused in order to take part in the dirty and retrogressive Zanu PF factional wars?”
According to MDC, patriotic people with a conscience should not allow their names and personal dignity to be permanently soiled, by pretending to conduct elections whose results are pre-determined.
“The time has now come for all peace – loving, decent and patriotic Zimbabweans to take a bold stand and send out a clear message that the political and socio-economic decay in the country has to be stopped.
“As the Chinese proverb states, a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”
Post published in: News