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ZESN condemns Zanu-PF vote buying
19 Jul 2019 at 14:03hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has condemned requests by the Zanu PF Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda for medicine supplies at Lupane clinics to be used for vote buying in the Lupane East by elections on 3 August.
This follows a leaked letter from health minister Obadiah Moyo acceding to Matemadanda's requests for medicines for five clinics in Lupane.
"While ZESN acknowledges the right for political parties to solicit for votes during the campaigning period, this act violates the principles of democracy.
"In terms of principle 4.1.4 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, member States shall, "take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent corruption, bribery, favouritism, political violence, intolerance and intimidation," said Zesn in a statement.
"The Network does not condone the trend of vote buying using food aid and other resources meant to benefit all citizens with no affiliation to a political party in line with the Constitution.
"The Network reiterates the need for legislative measures prohibiting the use of State resources and vote buying in election campaigns. The regulations should include provisions for disclosure of sources of campaign funding and use of campaign funding, measures to address vote buying, as well as confer ZEC with authority to ensure that these provisions are adhered to."
This follows a leaked letter from health minister Obadiah Moyo acceding to Matemadanda's requests for medicines for five clinics in Lupane.
"While ZESN acknowledges the right for political parties to solicit for votes during the campaigning period, this act violates the principles of democracy.
"In terms of principle 4.1.4 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, member States shall, "take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent corruption, bribery, favouritism, political violence, intolerance and intimidation," said Zesn in a statement.
"The Network does not condone the trend of vote buying using food aid and other resources meant to benefit all citizens with no affiliation to a political party in line with the Constitution.
"The Network reiterates the need for legislative measures prohibiting the use of State resources and vote buying in election campaigns. The regulations should include provisions for disclosure of sources of campaign funding and use of campaign funding, measures to address vote buying, as well as confer ZEC with authority to ensure that these provisions are adhered to."
Source - Byo24News
