adminZEC chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi yesterday said the commission needed resources to do preparatory exercises expected before the holding of the harmonised elections.
The harmonised elections are expected to be held before June 29 when the tenure of the current Parliament expires.
“The commission is always ready to conduct any proclaimed election,” he said. “At the moment, a lot of work has to be done before the elections. Resources are needed to carry out a post referendum analysis, training, acquiring of election materials among other essential things. But we are ready to conduct the plebiscite as soon as polling dates are announced.”
ZEC needs about US$107 million to ensure a smooth flow of the voting process and has already submitted a budget to Government, breaking down the amount.
President Mugabe has already indicated that the tenure of the current Parliament would not be extended beyond June 29 and the country should have held elections by then.
The MDC formations, fearing defeat by Zanu-PF, have tried in vain to influence the processes that lead to elections and they want the elections to be held by at least October.
Mr Sekeramayi said officers who took part in the March 16 referendum started receiving their allowances from April 2.
ZEC engaged 70 000 officers who included supervisors and returning officers.
“All officers engaged by ZEC for the referendum started receiving their allowances,” he said. “However, it depends on the individual’s bank. Some banks take long to process the transactions while others take less time.
“We believe everyone will get what is due to him or her in due course unless there is an individual problem such as wrong account number.”
Mr Sekeramayi said the officers were paid US$40 per day for an average of six days depending on the attendance register.
He said ZEC was processing payment for vehicles hired for the referendum
“ZEC hired hundreds of vehicles from CMED for use during the referendum,” he said. “ZEC is not privy to the private arrangements between CMED and those individuals and companies that hired their vehicles to CMED.
“ZEC is currently processing payment to CMED after submission of all invoices.”
President Mugabe is expected to announce harmonised elections dates any time soon to end the troubled inclusive Government.
Parties in the inclusive Government are already making preparations for the harmonised elections.
Online Reporter