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CCDZ outreach on national referendum and preparation for elections
Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ)
September 20, 2011

Last week the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) held a series of meetings and road shows in Mashonaland East Province. The districts visited include Marondera, Mutoko, Mudzi and Majuru Growth Points, areas which were generally no-go areas for the civic society and non-ZANU PF political parties before the inception of the inclusive government. The main thrust of the outreach was to update the citizenry on the Constitutional making process, urge them to register as voters in preparation of both the constitutional referendum and the general elections. This opportunity was also used to inform and educate citizens on the minimum conditions of a free and fair election and the general state of the Global Political Agreement.

In Marondera, at a Dombotombo meeting, participants insisted on a new constitution first before elections saying this would safeguard their votes and ensure a transition of power as well as enabling a free and fair election. They also said civic education is a pre-requisite to free and fair elections as well as a clean voters roll. Participants demanded impartial and objective monitors from the international community. They went as far as to suggest the powers of the international peace keeping force in terms of demands that they set up tented camps with brigs to throw in anyone accused of political violence, that they impose a curfew after 10pm similar to that during the election period in 1980.

Participants were keen to be updated on the SADC facilitated mediation process as they were unsure as to the dates of the elections. They expressed frustration with politicians who unilaterally announce that they will be elections without consulting the people to find out if they are ready. A village head said UN and SADC should provide non-partisan international observers in the coming elections. Participants were unanimous in demanding that these forces should be in Zimbabwe for the period six months before and after the election. They said this would guarantee their security, prevent electoral violence and facilitate a smooth transition of power similar to that of 1980.In Kotwa (Under Mudzi District), participants insisted that 48 hours is enough to count votes and declare a winner rather than the five days proposed by the Electoral Amendment Bill. They also insisted on a ward -based voter's roll saying that that would ensure the removal of ghost voters.

The Electoral Amendment Bill, which if enacted into law could be the electoral framework for the next rounds of elections created much debate at the meeting. The section governing Presidential run-offs was completely discredited by participants who said a run-off was a very bad idea and it created political tensions. Participants rejected a polling station based voter's roll as this would open them up to revenge attacks by losing parties or candidates. During debates on the Electoral Amendment Bill in Chapfika village in Mutoko, participants said SADC should appoint Z.E.C since they are mediators. Older participants said elections should be separated into general, council and presidential elections like those of 1980 as the lumping of elections was what created problems of electoral violence and complex electoral fraud. Parliament was also urged to convene more public hearings than the twelve planned nationwide. Examples of MPs holding daily campaign rallies throughout their constituencies in an election year were paralleled to the few public hearings that are to be held. Participants said if MPs can do campaign circles around a constituency when they want to be voted into power, they should do the same when it comes to the Parliamentary public hearings on the Electoral Amendment Bill.

CCDZ is continuing to hold more community meetings and road shows in Mashonaland West, Midlands and Masvingo with the overall aim of playing a pro-active role in ensuring the meaningful participation of communities in the Constitution making process and the next general election. The voter turnout in the next constitutional referendum will be used as a litmus test in terms of voter turnout.

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