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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
ZESN
says Zimbabwe election should be postponed
Zimbabwejournalists.com
January 23, 2008
http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/story.php?art_id=3453&cat=2
The Zimbabwe
Election Support Network (ZESN) has joined the call for the
postponement of elections saying it will be a 'disaster' if they
are held in March, as there is a lot to be done to create an environment
for a credible, undisputable and legitimate election.
Noel Kututwa the ZESN
chairperson told journalists on Tuesday in Harare at the Quill Club
that there was little time between now and March for ZEC to work
on the voters-roll that is in 'shambles' and for the public to analyse
the delimitation report.
The report was presented
to President Robert Mugabe and Parliament last week. Only one report
was given to the Parliament and as of today it is now available
in the Papers Office where anyone interested can go, read and leave
it there.
"It is correct constitutionally
that the election must take place in March, but that must be taken
into context," said Kututwa. "Since 2000 all the elections
in Zimbabwe have had problems and there has been talk of postponing
the elections and many stakeholders have been in favour of postponing
the elections to create an atmosphere that is conducive to make
sure that whatever result that comes out is acceptable to everyone."
George Chiweshe, the
ZEC leader yesterday insisted that election would not be postponed.
He said: "We are a democracy and anyone can say anything. As
far as I know, delimitation exercise is over and for now, the election
is set for March. We cannot make everyone happy. ZEC cannot make
copies of the delimitation report for every citizen. That is not
financially feasible."
The main opposition Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Sunday threatened
to boycott the election unless its demands of a new constitution,
an 'independent' ZEC and a credible voters roll was were met.
ZESN said Constitutional
Amendment 18 Act allowed the election to be postponed even to
2010.
"Probably the ruling
Zanu PF would make sure that the election is held in March by hook
or crook if it means the printing press at the central bank will
go on printing money for 24 hours to make sure that there is money
for the election," said Kututwa.
"But will that election
be free and fair? .. We are heading for a disaster should we insist
on having an election in March."
Zanu PF spokesperson
Nathan Shamuyarira yesterday condemned ZESN saying it wanted to
speak for the opposition.
"We know the opposition
is not yet ready for the election and I am not surprised that the
civic organisations have started speaking for them," said Shamuyarira.
"As Zanu PF we are ready for an election even tomorrow."
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