News / National
Shortage of funds will delay finalisation of constitution reform process
05 Feb 2013 at 07:32hrs | Views
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa says shortage of funds will delay the finalisation of constitutional reform process and elections, New Ziana reported.
Chinamasa said today only about US$2 million out of US$80 million the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) needs to prepare for the constitutional referendum had been released by the treasury.
Zimbabwe is expected to hold a referendum on a new constitution next month before dates for the general elections are announced.
"The Ministry of Finance has only released US$2 million to the ZEC with the bulk going into printing materials for the referendum," Chinamasa said.
Chinamasa said the voter registration campaign which was scheduled to start on Jan 3 had also been delayed due to lack of funds.
The voter registration was, however, an ongoing process at administrative provincial capitals.
"What we had envisaged was to set up voter registration teams in each of the wards in the country, 1 958 of them, so that issuing of birth certificates, identity cards and voter registration is brought closer to the people," said Chinamasa.
With the government financially incapable of financing the referendum and general elections, it was suggested that Zimbabwe approach the international community for assistance.
About US$200 million is needed for the referendum and polls.
Chinamasa said today only about US$2 million out of US$80 million the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) needs to prepare for the constitutional referendum had been released by the treasury.
Zimbabwe is expected to hold a referendum on a new constitution next month before dates for the general elections are announced.
"The Ministry of Finance has only released US$2 million to the ZEC with the bulk going into printing materials for the referendum," Chinamasa said.
Chinamasa said the voter registration campaign which was scheduled to start on Jan 3 had also been delayed due to lack of funds.
The voter registration was, however, an ongoing process at administrative provincial capitals.
"What we had envisaged was to set up voter registration teams in each of the wards in the country, 1 958 of them, so that issuing of birth certificates, identity cards and voter registration is brought closer to the people," said Chinamasa.
With the government financially incapable of financing the referendum and general elections, it was suggested that Zimbabwe approach the international community for assistance.
About US$200 million is needed for the referendum and polls.
Source - New Ziana
