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Zimbabwe's Elections 2013 - Index of Articles
MDC applauds SADC resolution
Movement
for Democratic Change
June
17, 2013
The MDC applauds
the SADC summit resolution
effectively reversing the unilateral, unlawful and ill-advised election
date proclamation
by Robert Mugabe.
The resolution
ordering Mugabe to approach the constitutional court seeking postponement
of the election date from the 31st of July buttresses the MDC’s
position that the date of election
should follow all the constitutional processes that will ensure
the holding of free, fare and credible election.
Robert Mugabe
proclaimed dates for general elections as July 31 using the controversial
and draconian Presidential
Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to shorten the electoral process
by legally dubious means. He also sought to promulgate the amendment
to the electoral law by decree a development that the MDC views
as extremely outrageous.
The MDC took
to SADC its commitment to free and fair election, which should be
held as soon as possible without delay. However, the party insists
on key reforms that have a bearing on the freeness and fairness
of the elections.
These include:
- Completion
of the voter’s registration exercise
- The total
eradication of all forms of violence especially state sponsored
violence
- Drawing up
of a code of conduct to govern the behaviour of security services
during elections in line with section 208 of the constitution
which stipulate that they should not be partisan, must not campaign
for or against a political party and must respect Fundamental
Human Rights.
- The democratisation
of all media laws to ensure equal access by all contesting parties
to the State Media and the elimination of hate language.
- The revision
of all laws that have a bearing on elections to bring them in
conformity with the new constitution.
All these issues
are provided for in the new constitution and it is only sensible
that Zimbabwe adhere to all its constitutional provisions.
The MDC applauds
President Tsvangirai for eloquently presenting the Zimbabwean case
to the SADC summit prompting the Heads of states to come up with
a well considered position. The statesmanship displayed by President
Tsvangirai speaks volumes of his capacity and capability to tackle
challenges that have bedevilled Zimbabwe in the three decades of
misrule and corruption under the Zanu-PF government.
We hope that
reason will prevail and that Zanu-PF will put Zimbabwe first and
respect SADC resolution and do what needs to be done.
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