Elections before UNWTO?

With the eyes of world focussed on Zimbabwe and Zambia, who will co-cost the event, political analyst, Eldred Masunungure said the conference had the potential to restrain the behaviour of political parties before and after elections.

“Holding elections before the UNWTO is the best time. We will have a free and fair election because it important for us as the host nation to show a semblance of peace,” he said.

Analyst Charles Mangongera said Zimbabwe had to show the world that it had matured politically.

“Right now Zimbabwe is seeking credit facilities from other countries and campaigning for the removal of targeted sanctions, so if elections are held before the UNWTO they are likely to be peaceful.”

Analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya said the timing of elections remained a presidential privilege, but peaceful elections before the UNWTO would boost confidence among the international community.

“Since the referendum is well on course, it is important that we have elections soon. The continued delay in the holding of the polls creates uncertainty, which dampens the confidence of all those who want to partake in the UNWTO,” he said.

However, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Programme Manager Nixon Nyikadzino said political parties could refrain from violence but employ other methods of victimising the electorate.

“Elections before the UNWTO might curb violence but that will not guarantee a free and fair election,” he said.

Heal Zimbabwe Director Rashid Mahiya said it was more important for the GNU principals to stick to electoral reforms rather than using the UNWTO as a timeline for elections.

“We should have integrity as a country rather than take advantage of an event to determine the fairness of our elections. While UNWTO might restrain violence it is more important to have electoral reforms in place. Up to now penetrators of 2008 violence have still not been brought to book, which is not fair,” he said.

Daniel Bekele, Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, concludes that “to hold credible, free, and fair elections Zimbabwe’s government needs to level the political playing field and create a rights-respecting environment now.”