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Youth demands for the holding of elections in Zimbabwe
Youth Forum
May 23, 2011

After extensive consultations with youths from various walks of life, the Youth Forum drafted the following conditions for elections; these conditions came from the youths, mostly the marginalised youths. The youths believe these conditions will ensure that the elections are free and fair and will deviate from the past norms where elections were largely characterised by violence and bloodshed.

1. A Legitimate Constitution

It is of paramount importance that any national election be held under a new constitution that guarantees the rights to administrative justice, emphasizes the principle of equality, does not give excessive powers to the Executive, provides for checks and balances between the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive, emphasizes the principle of transparency and accountability and has sufficient provision for the protection of human rights among others. Without such a new constitution, it is very difficult to see any election being considered free and fair as the current Lancaster House document we are using does not guarantee any of the above principles.

It is equally important to note that the current constitution-making process led by COPAC has so far failed to guarantee that it will bring about such a constitution as this process is likely to give us a negotiated constitution. However, the process should be able to give a document that is credible enough to be used as the country's supreme law for the transition from the negotiated settlement we are currently reeling under to a democracy. After the installation of a democratic government, the new government must make it a priority to initiate a genuine people-driven process for the writing of a new constitution.

2. National Healing And Accountability For Past Human Rights Violations

According to the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the current inclusive government "shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post independence political conflicts". What this simply implies is that until and unless national healing, cohesion and unity are achieved, we must not have elections. The government must ensure that all past victims have been compensated adequately before rushing into elections as this will lead to more violence and more political conflicts. Also, the new constitution should guarantee the democratic principles of tolerance and peaceful disagreement.

Only after the achievement of national healing and accountability for past human rights violations have been achieved will the people of Zimbabwe feel free to participate in national processes like elections, so it is important that these be addressed as a matter of urgency before calling for any elections.

3. Freedom Of Expression And Political Participation

The need for freedom of expression and the right to information cannot be overemphasized; we demand that there be a diverse media that is not the subject of intimidation and abuse. It is only after the advent of such media that the youths of Zimbabwe, together with the toiling masses, can make informed and meaningful decisions on whom to vote for during the election. The GPA clearly states that there is need to have more broadcasters other than the public broadcaster, which is notorious for being unashamedly partisan. The arbitrary arrests, intimidation and victimisation of journalists and other media personnel based on draconian legislation must stop.

The GPA, the document that guides how the current government is to move forward and stipulates what is expected of the Inclusive Government, declares clearly that there should be free political activity throughout Zimbabwe within the ambit of the law in which ALL political parties are able to propagate their views and canvass for support, free of harassment and intimidation. It also recognises that the right to canvass and freely mobilise for political support is the cornerstone of any multi-party democratic system. The current government must ensure that such freedoms are guaranteed before any election as it is only under such conditions that the people of Zimbabwe will be free to exercise their democratic right of engaging in political activism without fear. The situation where belonging to certain political parties is regarded as a crime while belonging to other parties makes one untouchable must end.

4. Non-Partisan State Security Institutions, National Organs and Events

State institutions do not belong to any political party and should be impartial in the discharge of their duties, and should dispense of their duties ethically and professionally in conformity with the principles and requirements of a multi-party democratic system. The security institutions should work with the people and not against the people, their mandate is to maintain peace and security and not to be used for partisan reasons against the same people they are supposed to protect.

National events like Independence Day celebrations, Heroes' Day celebrations among others should also be non-partisan events and benefit and receive participation from Zimbabweans from all walks of life regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation or religion.

With non-partisan security institutions, the country will experience less political violence and related crimes as the law will be at play and any crimes committed will be dealt with by these institutions.

5. Real Electoral Reforms

The current electoral laws cannot be relied on to give us a democratic government as they have failed in the past, leading to sometimes nasty contestations as in the 2008 June Run-Off election. SADC should also make sure that such reforms are in tandem with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing democratic Elections. This includes adhering to the following:

• Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• Freedom of association;
• Political tolerance;
• Regular intervals for elections as provided for by the respective National Constitutions;
• Equal opportunity for all political parties to access the state media;
• Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for;
• Independence of the Judiciary and impartiality of the electoral institutions; and
• Voter education.
• Acceptance and respect of the election results by political parties proclaimed to have been free and fair by a competent Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in accordance with the laws of the land.
• Challenge of the election results as provided for in the law.

The Voter's Roll needs to be revamped so that it shows a true reflection of registered voters and not the current state in which dead people are still found in the roll and are actually participating in elections. With the Youth Forum currently running a campaign aimed at adding 1 million new young voters to the voters roll, it has also been discovered that the requirements for registration are stringent especially for the youths.

6. The SADC and AU to establish an early warning system to respond to political violence and human rights violations.

It has also emerged that the youths attach serious importance to the role that SADC plays in ensuring that elections are held in a peaceful environment. With a history of serious bloodshed in the previous elections, the youths demand that SADC together with the African Union start to monitor the likely elections at least six months before they are held. This will enable the bodies to bear true witness and come up with an accurate position regarding the freeness and fairness of the election.

The monitoring systems to be established should also be able to detect areas of serious violence and take appropriate action against the offenders. It should also be able to immediately disclose to the relevant SADC and AU structures any relationship that could lead to a conflict of interest with their duties or with the process of the observation and assessment of the elections.

It is only after these conditions have been met that the youths and general populace of Zimbabwe can vote freely and fairly. It is the duty of the Inclusive Government, together with other groupings to make sure that these conditions are met.

Visit the Youth Forum fact sheet

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