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Press statement on amendments to the Electoral Act proposed by Zanu(PF)
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
November 14, 2001

ZLHR notes with concern the amendments to the Electoral Act proposed by the ZANU(PF) government, as reported in the Sunday Mail of the 11th November 2001, and the electronic media of that date.

In our opinion, the proposed amendments blatantly violate section 20 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which protects the individual's right to "... receive and impart ideas and information without interference ...". The Government must surely be aware of this fact! The motive for the proposals must therefore be political.

It is extremely disturbing that the Executive, utilising its party structures and majority in Parliament, will seek to pass a law which violates the very basic tenets of our democracy.

Notwithstanding the Executive's constitutional obligation to uphold and enforce the supreme law of the land, the ZANU(PF) Government, purely out of self interest, appears bent on undermining all democratic principles in order to enhance their chances of winning the 2002 Presidential elections.

Freedom of information is a cornerstone to the building and sustenance of any democracy. The proposed amendments seem tailored to control the amount and quality of information of voter education meant for the electorate.

The proposals are made in bad faith, selfish and are an attempt to control the electorate, and therefore undermine the very essence of our fledgling democracy. It is ironic that civic society, apart from the political parties involved, was instrumental in voter education in 1980, which brought the ZANU(PF) Government to power and independence to Zimbabwe.

Political debate by all persons in Zimbabwe, particularly civil society, is protected by the Constitution and should be protected and not undermined by the Executive. We therefore call for all concerned and patriotic Zimbabweans to reject the politically selfish and myopic proposals to amend the Electoral Act.

View the ZLHR fact sheet

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