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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Review of SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections - Opinion and Analysis
MDC
To Suspend Participation in Elections
Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC)
August 24, 2004
The Spirit of Mauritius
The MDC
National Executive met today and deliberated on a number of key issues
that are affecting Zimbabwe. The Executive particularly welcomed the spirit
of the SADC summit in Mauritius last week. The unanimous agreement on
a SADC protocol on regional electoral standards represents a significant
step forward in the enhancement of a solid democratic culture across the
region.
This development also
signifies the political will that exists within the SADC to assist the
process of African Renaissance.
The Executive noted
that in Zimbabwe the implementation of the SADC standards will require
major changes to the political environment and legal electoral framework.
Restore
Although
the Zimbabwe government is a signatory to the new SADC protocol on elections,
the Executive does not believe that the government acted in good faith
and consequently harbours serious doubts as to the government’s commitment
to enforcing the electoral standards contained in the Protocol.
The Executive also
expressed deep concern at the government’s unrelenting assault on democratic
rights of the people as illustrated by the gazetting last week of a draft
bill that contains provisions that pose a severe threat to the activities
of civic organisations through which Zimbabweans organise themselves around
issues of concern.
In the light of the
continued absence of any tangible sign that the government is prepared
to enforce the SADC protocol on elections in its broadest sense, and thereby
address the MDC’s own minimum standards for elections (that are contained
in our ‘RESTORE’ document), the Executive has decided to suspend participation
in all forms of elections in Zimbabwe.
The MDC will not participate
in elections until the political space has been opened up and a legal,
institutional and administrative framework for elections has been established
that harnesses acceptable levels of transparency and fairness in the electoral
process.
For this to happen
the government needs to combine a comprehensive reform of Zimbabwe’s electoral
framework with significant political reforms, in particular the ending
of political violence and the repeal of repressive statutes such as POSA
and AIPPA that place gratuitous curbs on the independent media and citizens’
democratic rights pertaining to freedom of speech, assembly and association.
Harare City Council
The Executive
further noted with dismay the continuous efforts of the Zanu PF government
to prevent the elected Harare Council from carrying out their basic functions.
As a result of this unrelenting political interference with their activities,
and the government’s demonstrable contempt for their roles as democratically
elected representatives of the people, the remaining MDC councillors in
the city have this morning decided to resign en masse.
Paul Themba Nyathi
Secretary for
Information and Publicity
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