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Lupane
elections debate update
Bulawayo Agenda
April 29, 2013
Hundreds of
Lupane residents including human rights activists and Councilors
attended the 2013 Elections Debate 3rd Series held in Lupane last
Saturday (27/04/13). Representatives of MDC-T (Cllr Cain Mpofu),
ZAPU (Provincial Chairperson John Dlamini) and MDC (Provincial Chairperson
Jealous Siansole) debated on the timing of elections and provinces’
(Matabeleland North) readiness for free and fair elections.
Below are major
highlights of the meeting:
- The timing
and holding of elections should be guided by the legal framework
in line with reforms and the SADC roadmap to elections for Zimbabwe
to hold credible elections.
- All political
parties said they are ready for elections as they are in the process
of identifying candidates.
- All political
parties condemned the Security sector partisanship and saying
the sector should serve the nation in an impartial manner.
- The three
political parties said International Observers are critical in
the next elections as there is nothing to hide.
- The appointment
of Justice Rita Makarau (former Non-Constituency MP appointed
by President Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF in the 90s) as ZEC Chairperson
was pointed as a setback as it further compromises ZEC’s
independence as the institution is already managed by mostly retired
members of the army and CIO who supposedly still take instructions
from the Commander-in-Chief.
- Electorate
should chose leaders based on capabilities and potential to promote
development rather than political party jackets.
- Oppressive
laws such as POSA
and AIPPA
should be abolished as part of reforms before elections as they
infringe on freedom of speech, association, choice and assemble.
- The three
political party representatives called for peace and tolerance
within the communities pointing out that communities should be
aware of vote buying especially by Zanu-PF and avoid being used
as perpetrators of violence.
- Voter registration
should be improved and accessible to communities and there should
be mechanisms to address victims of Gukurahundi in terms of providing
them with national registration documents.
Zanu-PF despite,
confirming attendance eventually failed to send a representative
for this debate. This week the Election Debate Series will cover
Gweru, Plumtree and Nkayi where political party officials and election
stakeholders are expected to further debate socio-political environment
ahead of supposedly watershed elections.
Visit the Bulawayo
Agenda fact sheet
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