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Civil servants to monitor polls
The Herald
January 27, 2005

http://www.zimbabweherald.com/index.php?id=40105&pubdate=2005-01-27

Monitors for the forthcoming parliamentary election will be drawn from the public service to ensure accountability in the event of cases of indiscipline, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.

Speaking at a workshop for election bodies in Harare, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa told participants that the Electoral Supervisory Commission would appoint civil servants as monitors.

"The monitors will be drawn from the civil service so that if they do any monkey business they will be disciplined by their employer.

"We think civil servants are the best option because some countries like South Africa rely on volunteers but there is no way for recourse in case of indiscipline on the part of the volunteers.

"They can just receive allowances and disappear with no recourse. If we have civil servants they will be accountable to their employer," Cde Chinamasa said.

He said both the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC had agreed in Parliament during debate on the Electoral Bill, which is now an Act, that the monitors should be drawn from the civil service to ensure they are accountable for their actions when carrying out their task.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to explain and clarify the roles of bodies involved in elections following the reforms introduced to the country's electoral system.

It was attended by commissioners of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), a new body to run all elections and referendums in the country led by their chairperson Justice George Chiweshe and his deputy Mrs Sarah Kachingwe.

Members of the Electoral Supervisory Commission led by their chairperson Mr Theophilus Gambe, staff from the Registrar General's Office led by the Registrar General Mr Tobaiwa Mudede, the

chairman of the National Elections Directorate Dr Mariyawanda Nzuwa and officials from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs also attended the workshop.

Following the reform of the country's electoral system, the ZEC is now tasked with the running of all elections and referendums, a function that was spread among bodies such as the RG's Office and the National Elections Directorate with the ESC monitoring the process.

The National Elections Directorate is no longer relevant under the new system as all its functions and others previously done by the RG's Office have been taken over by the ZEC.

The ZEC now directs and controls the registration of voters by the RG's Office and the compiling and maintaining of the voters' rolls.

It is in charge of printing and distributing ballot papers, establishing and operating polling stations and also conducts voter education and accredits observers of elections , among other functions.

The ESC is now charge of monitoring the ZEC and the entire election process.

Local non-governmental organisation, Centre for Peace and Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) has hailed the appointment of commissioners of the ZEC.

In a statement, the organisation's information and public relations officer Ms Rena Chitombo said her organisation joined hands with others in congratulating the appointed commissioners.

"CPIA would like to join other organisations and individuals in congratulating the members of the ZEC on their appointment," she said.

The organisation described the ZEC commissioners as responsible and reliable people who can handle the task to perfection and ensure that the elections are held in accordance with the Sadc principles and guidelines on elections.

"They are men and women of honour, dignity and integrity who have served

their county in various capacities with distinction and total commitment" said Ms Chitombo.

She said March elections would generate interest inside and outside the country.

"As we congratulate and wish the new commission all the best in their endeavours we sincerely hope that the March elections would be held in a peaceful and violent free environment," she said.

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