News / National
ZEC ready for polls
12 Jun 2013 at 17:41hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it is ready and prepared to conduct the harmonised elections as the conditions for free and fair elections such as equal access to information and freedom to choose one's candidate are prevailing in the country.
ZEC Chairperson Justice Rita Makarau, who was giving oral evidence to the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security and the Committee on Defence and Home Affairs in parliament, said the electoral body is ready to conduct free and fair elections.
Justice Makarau said all necessary logistics, training and processes have been put in place and as soon as the remaining budget of nearly US$130 million is released, the organisation will be ready with all requirements and arrangements of the elections.
"Very few people who are registering are being turned away and so all logistics are in place," she said.
Asked by the senators if all the ingredients for a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place, Justice Makarau said the non-violent situation on the ground and equal access to information clearly shows that the electorate will be able to choose their preferred candidates in a peaceful manner.
"There should be equal access to information and as ZEC we believe the peaceful environment exists and will be enhanced as we go for elections," Justice Makarau added.
On the conduct for political parties, ZEC Deputy Chairperson Joyce Kazembe said within the Electoral Act there is a code of conduct within which ZEC has to adhere to.
"Media will be monitored by ZEC from the pronouncement to the date of the results. There is something that governs the organisation," said Mrs Kazembe.
Asked why some wards and districts do no have voter registration teams, the ZEC chairperson said according to the constitutional requirements, voter registration and education are not ward-based, adding that due to budget constraints the organisation failed to send out as many teams to cover all areas at once, but all wards will be covered.
On the recruitment of staff, she said selection is done at provincial level, adding that staff from parastatals and government departments is considered.
The country is preparing to go for harmonised elections not later than the 31st of July.
ZEC Chairperson Justice Rita Makarau, who was giving oral evidence to the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security and the Committee on Defence and Home Affairs in parliament, said the electoral body is ready to conduct free and fair elections.
Justice Makarau said all necessary logistics, training and processes have been put in place and as soon as the remaining budget of nearly US$130 million is released, the organisation will be ready with all requirements and arrangements of the elections.
"Very few people who are registering are being turned away and so all logistics are in place," she said.
Asked by the senators if all the ingredients for a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place, Justice Makarau said the non-violent situation on the ground and equal access to information clearly shows that the electorate will be able to choose their preferred candidates in a peaceful manner.
"There should be equal access to information and as ZEC we believe the peaceful environment exists and will be enhanced as we go for elections," Justice Makarau added.
On the conduct for political parties, ZEC Deputy Chairperson Joyce Kazembe said within the Electoral Act there is a code of conduct within which ZEC has to adhere to.
"Media will be monitored by ZEC from the pronouncement to the date of the results. There is something that governs the organisation," said Mrs Kazembe.
Asked why some wards and districts do no have voter registration teams, the ZEC chairperson said according to the constitutional requirements, voter registration and education are not ward-based, adding that due to budget constraints the organisation failed to send out as many teams to cover all areas at once, but all wards will be covered.
On the recruitment of staff, she said selection is done at provincial level, adding that staff from parastatals and government departments is considered.
The country is preparing to go for harmonised elections not later than the 31st of July.
Source - zbc
