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WiPSU
Statement on the Delimitation Commission
Women in Politics
Support Unit (WiPSU)
September 15, 2004
Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU)
is disappointed by the Delimitation Commission set by President
Mugabe which is being entrusted with the responsibility of defining
constituency boundaries in preparation of the upcoming elections
in 2005. The work of the commission is extremely important; as it
will define which geographic boundaries determine constituencies.
As seen in previous elections, some constituencies are merged with
others lost in the process, other constituencies are smallerised
and yet others have their boundaries extended.
Of the current 16 women MPs 13 are elected
constituency representatives, 4 urban and 9 rural. We have seen
that the rural constituencies have a wide geographic coverage making
it a challenge for the MP to make regular visits to different parts
of her constituency. The urban constituencies on the other hand
have large numbers of constituents who need to be serviced by the
MP. The pathetically low numbers of constituencies with women representatives
should not and can not be allowed to go any lower certainly not
through the work of the delimitation commission. Losing out on the
current constituencies would adversely affect women's representation
as the current women MPs have been currently carrying out work in
their constituencies and through their efforts are deemed favourably
candidates.
We are concerned that Government has
not seriously considered the concerns that have been continuously
raised about our electoral systems of which Government has conceded
need to be ratified hence talks of electoral reforms. While the
Constitution of Zimbabwe gives President Mugabe the go ahead in
appointing this commission, we believe the issue of the delimitation
commission should have waited until the bill on electoral reforms
soon to be introduced in Parliament was discussed. Civil Society
through the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has been advocating
for the setting up of an Independent Electoral Commission, which
would oversee all functions and processes of elections including
the delimitation of constituencies. The setting up of the commission
by Government implies that the proposed and much talked about electoral
reforms are not as sincere as the public has been led to believe
by the Ruling Party and Government.
We are disturbed by President Mugabe's
commission that is extremely gender blind. Currently elections are
a highly sensitive issue to all Zimbabweans and all Zimbabweans
want to ensure that their interests are represented in ALL electoral
processes. This commission has not even one woman. President Mugabe
cannot say he failed to find 2 capable women to serve on the 4-member
committee. Zimbabwe needs to Africanise and in Africa through the
AU we have agreed that all decision-making bodies and public bodies
will have a 50% gender balance. We expect the President to ratify
this anomaly immediately by appointing at least 2 more commissioners
who are women.
We want free and fair elections. There
needs to be absolute transparency and accountability in all processes
that have to do with elections especially the 2005 ones. They are
shrouded with much controversy and expectation from different sectors
of the country and regional/international communities.
As women of Zimbabwe, fair elections
are ones that ensure we are a part of the organs processing and
making decisions on elections, fair elections are ones that enable
women to vote free from intimidation, violence, vote buying conditions
and free elections are ones that enable us to participate as candidates
with no limitations, no hindrances and no inhibitions.
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