Back to Index

Students demand free and fair elections for 2013
Zimbabwe National Students Union
November 29, 2012

Student leaders in Manicaland Province have added their voice into the growing concern over conditions for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe ahead of the watershed elections which are to be held next year to end the life of the now dysfunctional Inclusive Government.

Student leaders who were drawn out of 6 Mutare institutions of higher learning gathered at a Mutare Hotel to discuss procedures and systems of registering as a voter and actually voting at a national election. Presenting a paper, ZINASU President Pride Mkono reiterated the fact that electoral procedures were dude for amendment since they marginalized most of the youths and students because they do not own properties such as houses and plots cannot provide proof of residence which is a primary requirement to register as a voter.

The students in Mutare went on to point out the various infringements which are encountered during the registration process. "They ask us questions like; why do you want to register as a voter?, which political party would you vote for if you are registered?, do you want to sell out your country's heritage" said Brenda Moyo the Gender Secretary at Mutare Teachers College. However despite all these challenges, students are willing to go and register but raised the issues of financial constraints because there are limited centers of voter registration within the province of Manicaland. The student leaders suggested that voter registration facilities be availed at their campuses as this would make ease the process for the students.

The leaders of students also set minimum conditions for free and fair elections which include among them a fair political playing field for all political parties, security sector reform, and public media reform, presence of regional and international observers.

The meetings which are nationwide are being held as part of ZINASU's National Elections Campaign which seeks to register 50 000 students who will vote in the next election, these meetings are also designed to define the role of students in the next election.

Visit the ZINASU fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP