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Marshall Bwanya Features Writer
The harmonised elections have come and gone. One phenomenon that will see them being remembered for years to come is the manner in which the political parties conducted themselves to produce a peaceful plebiscite. Zimbabweans demonstrated political maturity throughout the election process as members from different political parties interacted peacefully in all forms of social platforms to highlight their parties’ policies and agendas.
Although some sections of the media allege that harmonised elections were marred by violence in some areas what is agreed is that the plebiscite ranks among the most peaceful ever conducted in the country since the 1990s.
It was a common phenomenon for Zanu-PF and MDC-T supporters to wear their respective regalia at funerals co-ordinating peacefully during burial proceedings. Brothers supporting different parties could be seen engaging in family talk while donning their respective party regalia.
The elections have thus earned the plaudits of Africa and the progressive world who say Zimbabwe has delivered a election that is exemplary to Africa. Sadc and AU both endorsed the recent harmonised elections as free and fair.
Even locals have hailed the conduct of political parties during these elections saying it was important for all sundry to know that violence is never a solution and should be the hallmark of all elections to come.
Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations leader Dr Goodwill Shana commended all political parties and the people of Zimbabwe for conducting peaceful and orderly elections.
“The Church believes peace is the foundation of progress and we appeal to all political parties and people of Zimbabwe to maintain the peaceful and harmonious environment they displayed during elections,” he said.
Dr Shana urged all political parties not to resort to violence after elections but resolve any outstanding issues through constructive dialogue and discussion.
He said this should be a characteristic of all elections to come as the self-control and tolerance they expressed throughout the election period.
Women in Politics Support Unit executive director Ms Prisca Mudondo said they as local observers applauded the peaceful elections.
“Elections were peaceful in the Greater Harare area we observed. And this is progressive to Zimbabwe as peaceful elections allow greater participation of women,” she said.
She said the people of Zimbabwe have matured politically as they were not provoked or intimidated to engage in any form of political violence.
Even the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions acknowledged that elections were peaceful saying Zimbabweans must be commended for their zero tolerance to violence during last week’s elections.
“All political parties were able to campaign freely during the harmonised elections and they were no cases of rallies failing to get the go-ahead from local authorities,” said Mrs Faith Chiweshe of Bulawayo.
Women’s Action Group executive director Ms Edinah Masiyiwa said the peaceful election allowed women to participate at different levels.
“Due to the peaceful elections women were able to participate as candidates and voters. As there were few women who contested as candidates there more men than women in queues,” she said.
Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo dismissed allegations of political violence circulating in some sections of the media as stage-managed to tarnish the image of the harmonised elections.
“Zimbabweans demonstrated they had politically matured to a level of understanding that elections have to be conducted in a peaceful manner.
“The voting processes as well as election campaigns were done in a peaceful manner without incidents of political violence or clashes amongst political parties,” he said.
Cde Gumbo said regional observers who came left the country impressed with the peaceful conduct demonstrated by all Zimbabweans.
MDC deputy spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said the peaceful elections had been a learning curve for people who practised political violence to emulate and learn from.
“We are one family regardless of our political affiliations and these harmonised elections had shown that someone can win elections without beating people.
“As Zimbabwe we have one umbilical cord in, one people and we should not be divided by politics but rather politics is an opportunity for us to unite,” he said.
Police Senior Assistant Commissioner Mrs Charity Charamba said: “The elections were peaceful as there were no incidents of political violence reported throughout the country. The police are happy that situation still prevails in throughout the country as we speak,” she said.
Some said the conduct of the election was befitting respect for the late Vice President Cde John Landa Nkomo who did not only coin the popular saying “Peace begins with me, peace begins with you, peace begins with all of us” but worked hard in establishing and directing the Organ for National Healing and Integration from 2009.
Both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations spoke strongly about peace and need to avoid violence in the elections and that worked.
“It was good that Cde Mugabe at all his rallies reiterated the need for peace before, during and after the actual voting date. On their part, leaders of the other contesting parties in this year’s election also drove home the message of peace.
“That unity of purpose gave us this credible election. Never mind what the West says about the elections as Zimbabweans are happy with the peace that existed before and during the elections, said Maitaishe Manzini of Bindura.
She said though there were bad apples like MDC-T youth leaders Solomon Madzore and Promice Mkwanazi, they had failed to incite violence in the elections as the people took heed of their political leaders.
Even candidates hailed the conduct of the electorate in the elections.
“I was quite happy with the situation that existed during the election period. I was able to meet the people in my constituency without any disturbances.
“I was able to give people my campaign document. That also gives me confidence that I will be the people’s choice in the constituency because all the groundwork has been covered,” said the losing Zanu-PF candidate for Harare Central constituency Cde Rickson Musarurwa.
MDC-T Councillor Ward 13 Mr Peter Moyo added his voice to the satisfactory peaceful outlook on the political front
“It is good to see people going about their political business in such a peaceful environment. I was able to carry out meetings and rallies in this ward freely and there have not been cases of violence which should be the case even after the election day,” he said.
Newly elected Zanu-PF Member of Parliament for Gutu South Cde Paul Chimedza said: “The voting was cordial, very peaceful and everyone was given an opportunity to present their ideas to the electorate in a free environment that is commendable for all the parties that participated.
“It is encouraging that the situation counties even after the elections. It has shown that our people have matured to contest with ideas and nothing else but ideas. The people were able to choose the President, MP and the councillor of their choice,” he said.
Said Mr Samson Chimbunu from Mabvuku: “Last week’s harmonised elections were peaceful across the whole of Zimbabwe.
“Contesting candidates also campaigned peacefully and in Harare there were no cases of political violence.
“The people of Zimbabwe have matured to a stage that they now views politics as game of soccer were there are winners and losers,” he said.
Miss Kudzai Mumvuri from Glen Norah said from her observation the 2013 harmonised elections were free and fair as no form of violence was used to get votes from supporters.
“Harmonised elections were free and fair because I did not witness any form of political violence and all political parties had balanced access in all forms of media, whether State-owned or privately owned.
“Each and every political party managed to campaign peacefully and gain the support and votes from their supporters,” she said.
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