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Mnangagwa not committed to free and fair elections: MDC-T
13 Mar 2018 at 16:20hrs | Views
The Zimbabwean government has not been sincere on its commitment to a free, fair and credible plebicite as it has not yet made public the roadmap to the next election, MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has said.
Chamisa made the remarks when he met with the seven-member SADC Electoral Advisory Council at MDC-T's headquarters ahead of the watershed polls due in a few months time.
The delegation is led by Advocate Leshele Thoahlane.
Chamisa "bemoaned the fact that the recommendations made by SADC in the 2013 election in terms of the implementation of key reforms had not yet been done, among them media reforms that would ensure equal coverage of all contesting parties."
According to the presidential spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the MDC leader raised issues to do with violence, the abuse of traditional leaders, the opaqueness around the printing and auditing of ballots as well as the auditing of the voters roll.
He added; "With a few months to go before the next election, there was neither agreement nor clarity on these key electoral matters."
Chamisa implored the SADC observer team to ensure that Zimbabwe complies with the SADC guidelines on the conduct of free and fair elections, adding that only a credible plebiscite would ensure a return of confidence and legitimacy in the country.
MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora told the same meeting that the government had starkly refused to implement key issues that would have assured stakeholders.
Some of these issues are to do with the auditing of the voters roll as well as the printing and auditing of the ballot papers, including the identity of the company that would print the ballots.
MDC-T also told the SADC team that Zanu PF has plainly disregarded the constitution when it comes to diaspora vote.
The meeting was also attended by party's vice president Elias Mudzuri, Mwonzora, secretary for elections Murisi Zwizwai, treasurer-general Theresa Makone, deputy national chairperson Morgan Komichi, youth assembly chairperson Happymore Chidziva, women's assembly chairperson Karenyi Kore, deputy treasurer general Charlton Hwende and deputy national organizer Amos Chibaya.
Chamisa made the remarks when he met with the seven-member SADC Electoral Advisory Council at MDC-T's headquarters ahead of the watershed polls due in a few months time.
The delegation is led by Advocate Leshele Thoahlane.
Chamisa "bemoaned the fact that the recommendations made by SADC in the 2013 election in terms of the implementation of key reforms had not yet been done, among them media reforms that would ensure equal coverage of all contesting parties."
According to the presidential spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the MDC leader raised issues to do with violence, the abuse of traditional leaders, the opaqueness around the printing and auditing of ballots as well as the auditing of the voters roll.
He added; "With a few months to go before the next election, there was neither agreement nor clarity on these key electoral matters."
Chamisa implored the SADC observer team to ensure that Zimbabwe complies with the SADC guidelines on the conduct of free and fair elections, adding that only a credible plebiscite would ensure a return of confidence and legitimacy in the country.
MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora told the same meeting that the government had starkly refused to implement key issues that would have assured stakeholders.
Some of these issues are to do with the auditing of the voters roll as well as the printing and auditing of the ballot papers, including the identity of the company that would print the ballots.
MDC-T also told the SADC team that Zanu PF has plainly disregarded the constitution when it comes to diaspora vote.
The meeting was also attended by party's vice president Elias Mudzuri, Mwonzora, secretary for elections Murisi Zwizwai, treasurer-general Theresa Makone, deputy national chairperson Morgan Komichi, youth assembly chairperson Happymore Chidziva, women's assembly chairperson Karenyi Kore, deputy treasurer general Charlton Hwende and deputy national organizer Amos Chibaya.
Source - Byo24News
