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ZESN workshop in Gokwe Nembudziya
Zimbabwe
Election Support Network
August 31, 2011
ZESN conducted
a Community Workshop in Gokwe Nembudziya, Ward 11 at Chinyetunyetu
Scholl on the 25th of August. The workshop was attended by 83 people
including the Councilor for Ward 11. The workshop discussions were
based on the proposed amendments to the Electoral
Act (2011). Participants expressed keen interest during the
deliberations as evident by the nature of contributions and interventions
regarding the proposed amendments. Participants highlighted the
importance of public consultations by the government and civic society
citing that the laws had to come from the citizenry and urged ZESN
to continue conducting such meetings.
ZESN Mashonaland
Field Officer led the discussion and also presented a paper on the
proposed Bill
as well as expounding the ZESN position on the Bill as informed
by the critical analysis of the Bill done by the organisation. Participants
raised a number of questions and concerns with regards to the Bill.
Questions and
interventions
- Why should
the Registrar find it difficult to delete deceased people when
they are the ones who issue Death Certificates?
- The Chiefs
and village heads should play a pivotal role in voter registration
drives for the youth
- Participants
raised concern over the setting of election dates by interested
parties and urged that an independent body must take up the responsibility.
- Questions
were also raised regarding the criminality of announcing results
posted outside every polling stations.
On peace building,
it was noted that the culture of violence has affected the basic
cultural and traditional set up of Zimbabwean societies and that
there was need to deal with culture of violence before the next
elections are held. Participants bemoaned the politicization of
institutions and activities as it has adversely affected families
and societal bonds. Traditional leaders were urged to champion the
cause of people in the communities especially given their important
and well-respected roles.
In concluding
the workshop the councilor for Ward 11 expressed gratitude to ZESN
for conducting the workshop and sharing vital electoral information
with the community. He further noted that it was important for the
people to start working together for the betterment of their area
rather than waste energy and time perpetrating violence and hatred.
Visit the ZESN
fact
sheet
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