admin
Government seek an extension of the poll deadline to accommodate reforms proposed by some parties to the Global Political Agreement.
The Sadc summit which convened in Maputo, Mozambique, over the weekend ostensibly to co-ordinate funding for the elections deviated from the original agenda to review the peace and security situation in the region, culminating in the controversial proposal to extend the deadline decreed by the Constitutional Court.
ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau told media houses yesterday: “As ZEC we are aware of the urgent debate surrounding the holding of elections on 31 July 2013 following the special summit on Zimbabwe held by Sadc in Maputo on Saturday 15 June 2013.
“In calling this meeting today, as in all our other activities, we are being guided by the principle that the date of elections holds until the proclamation fixing it is lawfully rescinded or amended.”
President Mugabe proclaimed the date of the harmonised elections in an extraordinary Government Gazette last Thursday as he moved to comply with the Constitutional Court directive that elections be held before July 31.
The ruling followed an application by Mr Jealousy Mawarire of the Centre for Elections and Democracy who wanted the Court to compel President Mugabe to proclaim the election date by June 29 when the life of the Seventh Parliament lapses.
Sadc leaders upheld the court ruling, but advised parties in the inclusive Government to approach the court; through Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, to seek an extension if need be.
Related Stories..
- Elections present cash deal for civil servants
- US$25m needed for voter registration exercise
- Interview:‘ZEC ready to conduct harmonised elections’
- ZEC gets US$31m for polls
Justice Makarau added that following the proclamation made last week, ZEC would be closely monitoring the coverage of political issues in the media.
“Section 160K of the Act provides that the Commission, with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe shall monitor the news media during any election period to ensure that the political parties, candidates, broadcasters, print publishers and journalists observe the law relating to media coverage of elections.
“Section 160J lays out a code of conduct for all broadcasters and print media publishers during an election period. The main import of this section is to compel you to treat all political parties and candidates equitably.
“This section however, has to read with the latest amendments to the Electoral Act which gives each political party and candidates the right to fair and equal access to the media, both public and private,” she said.
Justice Makarau urged journalists to report in a balanced, fair and accurate manner and condemned the assault of journalists while carrying out their duties.
“We wish to add our voice to those who are condemning the assault of or the perpetration of any other form of violence against journalists during the election. We firmly stand against violence in any form and against any target group during the harmonised elections,” she said.
Justice Makarau’s condemnation follows the assault of Chronicle senior report Mashudu Netsianda and the Zimbabwe Independent’s Herbert Moyo by MDC-T thugs in the course of their duties.
Netsianda had his notebook confiscated while records on his mobile phone were deleted.
The attacks followed threats by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he would deal with any journalist or media house that does not toe his party line.
Online Reporter