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Proposed
electoral reforms
Zimbabwe
Election Support Network (ZESN)
June 30, 2004
The Zimbabwe
Election Support Network has been actively advocating for substantial
electoral reforms, in keeping with the SADC Parliamentary Norms
and Standards. In this process, we have actively lobbied a broad
section of stakeholders both within Zimbabwe, the SADC region, the
African continent and abroad.
We therefore
generally, welcome the report that appeared in the Herald 26/06/04,
that ZANU PF is now also embracing positive electoral reforms. If
the report is accurate, we do welcome the following propositions:
- The establishment
of an Independent Electoral Commission
- The establishment
of an electoral court to immediately deal with all major electoral
disputes
- Voting in
one day
- Doing away
with mobile polling stations
- Increasing
the number of polling stations
- Verification
and counting of ballots at the polling stations
- The use of
translucent ballot boxes
-
The
use of visible indelible ink
There
are however a number of apparent inconsistencies in the Herald report.
For example, it reports that the Registrar General’s Office would
have no role in the organisation and running of elections yet then
proceeds to say that the Registrar General’s Office will continue
to register voters. The report also adds that the Delimitation Commission
will continue to function.
It
is our understanding that a fully Independent Electoral Commission
would have to have complete authority over voter registration and
delimitation of constituencies.
Flawed
electoral processes are a known cause of political instability.
We therefore take this opportunity to encourage all political parties
and other stakeholders to fully embrace comprehensive electoral
reforms in Zimbabwe.
We
look forward to seeing the proposals on paper for full debate in
Parliament and elsewhere.
Dr
Reginald Matchaba Hove
ZESN National
Chairperson
Visit the ZESN
fact sheet
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