adminEvelene Taadira and Zvifadzo Lubombo
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has described the recently held harmonised elections as credible as they were conducted within the country’s constitutional provisions. In its interim report on the elections, the ZHRC said the elections were free and fair. “The commission recognises and observes that the necessary legal framework to hold free and fair elections was in place starting with the constitutional provision in section 67 that provides for all citizens to enjoy the right to a free and fair election. The constitutional provision establishing an electoral management body known as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Electoral Act that operationalises the constitutional provision on how present and future elections shall be held was also in place.
“The commission also acknowledges the Presidential proclamation relating to the timing of the electoral processes in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court in June 2013,” the statement stated.
The commission hailed the country for the high level of political maturity exhibited during the process and called for its maintenance.
“ZHRC commends the people of Zimbabwe for the peaceful political environment that characterised the recently held 2013 harmonised elections.
“The commission noted with appreciation the prevailing environment of peace, tolerance and general enthusiasm before, during and immediately after the electoral process. Credit goes to all political parties, candidates and their supporters, considering that these elections were held in the context of the new constitutional dispensation.”
The commission, the statement added, appealed to all citizens to maintain peace at all costs.
The commission hailed ZEC for maintaining a high level of maturity in accordance with its constitutional mandate and assisting those who needed help to exercise their constitutional right.
“Polling stations were open on time and election materials had been delivered on time.
“The set-up of the polling procedure within polling stations was properly synchronised with ushers available to direct voters on the voting processes.
“During the polling process, it was witnessed that at most polling stations the elderly, pregnant women and women with babies were catered for by ensuring that they were given first preference in casting their votes. The same applied to people with disabilities and those that required assistance during the polling process.”
ZHRC called on the strengthening of Zec for future campaigns and called on the rightful management of the voters’ roll when the power is handed to it according to the new constitution.
“In order to enable Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to carry out its electoral mandate, the commission recommends that it should be provided with sufficient technical and financial resources timeously. In future the election dates be proclaimed timeously to allow ZEC to adequately prepare for the electoral process.
“The commission notes that the new constitution and the electoral law empowers ZEC to manage the voters’ roll. The commission, therefore, urges ZEC to diligently and efficiently discharge this mandate.
“ZEC should be adequately resourced to carry out satisfactory voter education which is a critical component to the exercise of the right to vote. In carrying out this responsibility, ZEC is implored to work with a broader spectrum of civil society organisations to ensure that the widest coverage possible of voter education is achieved,” the statement noted.
Assessing the media perfomance during the period, ZHRC called for the strengthening of ZEC and the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
“Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Zimbabwe Media Commission should be strengthened to monitor the performance of the media in providing fair and balanced coverage to all political parties and candidates in terms of the constitution and the Electoral Act.
“The commission observed that media coverage during the electoral process was in some instances relatively biased and did not adhere to the law and best practice according to Section 61 of the constitution, sections 160E to160K of the Electoral Act and Principle 2.1.5 of the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections,” noted ZHRC.
Online Reporter