daniel chigunwe
Zimpapers Elections Desk
President Mnangagwa and the new dispensation have turned Zimbabwe into a hub of democracy with the 2018 and 2023 harmonised elections presenting evidence of a maturing democracy, analysts and observers said.
An analyst Mr Trynos Jujuju said the much touted ‘ED is soft as wool and a listening President’, is true and evident as there is much in contrast to the past administration.
He said in analysing 2018 and 2023 harmonised elections, the New Dispensation has defied odds and proved to the world that Zimbabwe is a hub for democracy.
“Democracy is widely defined. However, what is of importance is that there are some essential elements or tenets which need to be satisfied to gauge whether there is democracy or not, or what level of maturity to that democracy.
“The pre-election period, during election and post-election periods are to be defined. The environment of the 2018 and 2023 democracy indicates that the New Dispensation has raised Zimbabwe’s democracy to the acme of the best democracies in the world,” he said.
Mr Jujuju said Zanu PF after winning the parliamentary majority vote, it was obvious, it would also win the presidential race.
“As a democracy, participants still enjoy the rights to contest the outcome in courts which is one testimony of enjoyment of democracy.
“The New Dispensation has, as from 2017 ensured that the rule of law is observed and enjoyed by all citizens, and that there was separation of powers — arms of state working independent of each other,” he said.
Mr Jujuju said during President Mnangagwa’s leadership, the majority have enjoyed their rights, in the public domain, the majority can criticise, critique Government, scold or even denigrate leaders, the President included, at will that was never possible during the past administration.
“All contestants would campaign peacefully before election date and would utilise state media. They would also use print, social and visual media. No violence at all. Freedoms were guaranteed to all and there was no repression.
“During the election day, voting was done peacefully. Minor glitches like delay in provision of some papers by ZEC was never a deterrence to peaceful casting of votes to select public office holders,” he said.
Mr Jujuju said in any case, ZEC, as an independent entity charged with conducting elections explained the glitch.
“Attributing ZEC’s delays to any political party would be unfounded and deluded as ZEC is an independent body. The new dispensation invited observers from continental bodies, regional and international organisations to observe the elections.
“Generally, there are guidelines to observers. As, usual, negative and positive assertions are always expected as they provide room for improvement in the next elections,” he said.
He said empirical evidence, however, indicates that the recent elections were free and fair and the pre-, during and post-election activities indicates that the election was credible, hence the elected persons are to be sworn to hold their offices as elected.
He said as a sovereign state, observers do not direct activities of Zimbabwe, however, the new dispensation is positively responsive to concerns raised by observers as indicated by the Government through the Foreign Affairs ministry’s engagement with embassies of observer nations as noted in the press.
National Judicial Council of Vapostori founding chairman and head of bishops council Takawira Mapuranga said Zimbabwe is indeed a matured democracy.
“All political parties were given their Constitutional right to deploy polling agents, local observers, foreign observers, local media and foreign media were given the right to exercise their duties within their mandate.
“The Zimbabwe law enforcement did an plausible job with their policing jurisdiction, ZEC made sure that every voter did get a chance to exercise his/her Constitutional right even to the areas that had faced minor logistical obstacles, they were all given time to vote,” he said.
Madzibaba Mapuranga said ZEC handled the election in a transparent manner were all political players were given the opportunity to participate in all processes that are according to the law of Zimbabwe.
“The 300 metres radius of each and every polling stations were not violated, the votes announcements and declarations were done according to the standards and guidelines of the Law of Zimbabwe.
“Therefore, this means that the 2023 August harmonised elections were free, fair, transparent and credible,” he said.
Madzibaba Mapuranga said as the Judicial Council of Vapostori religion in Zimbabwe they are concerned by some negative reports from some religious bodies and some observer reports who have opted to ignore the peace, transparency and fairness in which the elections were held.
“The National Judicial Council Of Vapostori would want to urge everyone who participated in the just ended harmonised election to respect the sovereignty of Zimbabwe and respect the laws that govern all Zimbabwe institutions and bodies.
“The NJCV believes that the mandate of election observer missions is not to question and interrogate the institution and legislative laws of a sovereignty country,” he said.
“The NJCV respects the international community and we strongly believe that we are friends to everyone and enemy to none. We are urging the political players in Zimbabwe to maintain peace and avoid tarnishing this credible, peaceful transparent election,” he said.
Madzibaba Mapuranga added: “We call all Zimbabweans to shun violence and commend the police to continue doing their law enforcement duties. We look forward to seeing a peaceful inauguration and a productive Parliament. Our prayers are with Zimbabwe.”
Online Reporter