The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Solomon Zwana, told The Zimbabwean that the late release of funds for the elections would put the ZEC under pressure to make hurried progress in key areas.
“Delays in the release of funds will make it difficult for ZEC to prepare for the elections properly. The late release of funds will compromise the whole process. There are critical processes that need to be done now and they require funding now,” said Zwana.
In March this year, recommendations made by SADC after Zimbabwe’s March constitutional referendum called for the establishment of a mechanism through which funds for elections could be availed in time. The regional group’s election monitoring unit also called for the update of the voters’ roll in time and continuous voter education.
The Director of the Election Resource Centre, Tawanda Chimhini, said the late release of funds was threatening to scuttle efforts towards a credible election.
“Funding cannot be released on the eve of the election because there are some components that need to be funded way before the elections are conducted. By now the printing of ballot papers should have been done,” said Chimhini.
ZEC Chairperson Rita Makarau, said this week her commission was in urgent need of finances.
“Treasury has promised to look into our budget of $130 million. The 30 day period left for elections is a long time and we believe that they will give us the money. The Finance ministry is going to run around for election funding and even the MDC- T party leadership has promised that they are going to help with sourcing for funding.
“In terms of machinery, we are ready for elections. For example we already know where we are going to set up polling stations and what material goes into those polling stations,” said Makarau.
Post published in: News