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Local
government elections August 2003 - Zimbabwe fails international
test on elections yet again!
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association (ZimRights)
August 15, 2003
ZimRights finds
it a paradox and sad reality that despite 23 years of independence,
the citizens of Zimbabwe still cannot fully enjoy the rights attendant
on full sovereignty, such as the right to vote or be voted into
public office, without attracting a real risk of organised violence
being visited upon them. There is no possible justification for
such a state of affairs in a country calling itself a democracy.
This is especially so when the issue of "one man one vote"
was one of the cornerstones that drove the liberation war for Independence.
The government has an obligation to ensure that everyone participates
in the free and genuine election of people to represent their interests
in public office. It is not possible for the government to comply
with its duties in that regard if it participates in, or encourages,
or fails to condemn or deal effectively with violence, intimidation
or threats in all their forms, in what effectively leads to a denial
of peoples fundamental rights and freedoms. Peace and prosperity
will continue to elude this beautiful country if the government
does not show commitment to these basic values. ZimRights advises
that support from the international community that is based on misinforming
them and on a conspiracy of silence based on false principles of
African brotherhood will not only be shortlived, but will not deliver
this nation from the abject poverty that has now afflicted the majority
honest-living citizens of Zimbabwe. Such support also tends to undermine
the entire African political leadership and the gains made towards
democracy and good governance on the African continent.
RECALLING the
following instruments which clearly state the government’s responsibilities
when it comes to the issue of election of people into public office;
The African
Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, article 13 of which provides
that;
"1. Every
citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government
of his country, either directly, or through freely chosen
representatives in accordance with the provisions of
the law.
2. Every citizen shall have the right of equal access to public
service of his country."
Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, article 21 of which provides that;
"1. Everyone
has the right to take part in the governance of his country, directly
through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone
has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
3. The
will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government:
this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections
which shall be by universal an equal suffrage and shall be held
by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."
International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 25 of which
provides that;
"
Every citizen shall have the right and opportunity …without unreasonable
restrictions:
(a) To
take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through
freely chosen representatives;
(b) To
vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which
shall be by universal suffrage and shall be held by
secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will
the electors;
(c)
To have access on general terms of equality, to public service
of his country."
MINDFUL of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary
Forum’s norms and standards for free and fair elections which provide
that the government security forces should act impartially and professionally
and should be able to provide reasonable safeguards to political
contestants. The same norms and standards also provide that the
right to vote should be accepted as a birth right and that eligible
individuals should have a right to non-discriminatory voter registration
and nomination procedures.
NOTING sadly
from the reported events on nomination day and after, that there
has been no meaningful effort on the part of government to comply
with its obligations as stated above in that among other things;
- aspiring
candidates failed or were prevented to register for the forthcoming
local government elections,
- aspiring
candidates failed to register in the following areas; Bindura,
in all the 10 wards; Chegutu, in all the 11 wards; Karoi, in 4
out of 9 wards; Marondera, in 5 out of 11 wards and in Rusape,
in all the 10 wards,
- threats,
intimidation and violence prevented the candidates from presenting
their papers to the nomination court,
- some candidates
failed to register due to citizenship-related technicalities raised
by the Registrar General’s office,
- violence,
intimidation, fear, anxiety and insecurity has once again gripped
society as Zimbabwe approaches the local government elections.
ZimRights therefore
calls upon;
- the government
to comply with its obligations to ensure that those willing to
contest elections do so in an environment which is free and fair.
- the government
to publicly condemn and deal effectively with electoral related
violence.
- the political
leadership to preach tolerance and maturity.
- the police
force to act professionally without fear or favour in enforcing
the rule of law and peace during this election period
Visit the ZimRights
fact sheet
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