adminbills as earlier announced.
Mrs Kazembe was speaking during a meeting the electoral body held with traditional leaders from all parts of the country. “That requirement is no longer there, no more police clearance and payment of utility bills,” she said. “Can you convey the message to the aspiring councillors in your respective areas.”
Aspiring councillors have in the past been asked to produce police clearance and the same rules were repeated when ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau met political party representatives on Tuesday.
In her address to traditional leaders, Mrs Kazembe said ZEC would continue preparing for elections to meet the July 31 date that was proclaimed by President Mugabe for harmonised elections.
“We know that President Mugabe issued a proclamation,” she said. “We are going ahead with the preparation for elections on July 31 unless otherwise advised.
“That date still stands until we have been told that there has been a change.” Mrs Kazembe urged traditional leaders not to be partisan.
“You are not allowed to belong to a political party or to be involved in partisan politics,” she said. “You are not expected to be partisan or further the interest or cause of any political party.”
Council of Chiefs president Fortune Charumbira urged ZEC to take full charge of elections to choose chiefs who would take seats in the senate.
“Do not abdicate your responsibility in terms of conducting elections,” he said. “The Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development should just submit names of traditional leaders to you.”
Chief Charumbira said ZEC should be involved right from the beginning like convening the meeting to elect the Chiefs Council, welcoming them to the venue and payment of per diems.
He said traditional leaders were being excluded in the setting up of multi-liaison committees aimed at reducing conflicts during elections.
Online Reporter