News / National
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission invites local, foreign observers
20 Jun 2013 at 20:33hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has invited applications for accreditation from local and foreign organisations and individuals wishing to observe harmonised elections scheduled for July 31.
Zec chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeremayi yesterday said local organisations and eminent persons should direct their applications to the Commission's provincial election office of the province in which the observers propose to discharge their duties.
"The organisations must be registered as a private voluntary organisation in terms of the Private Voluntary Organisation Act (Chapter 17:05) or established under a Notarial Deed of Trust that is registered in the Deeds Office in terms of the Deed Registries Act (Chapter 20:05)," he said.
"No consortium, confederation or similar association of local organisations may apply for accreditation of its constituent members as observers. The consortium, confederation or association may only apply for the management team or secretariat."
Mr Sekeramayi said no accreditation would be made on behalf of a person who has been convicted of an electoral offence or any other offence for which the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine.
He said anyone convicted of any electoral offence involving fraud or dishonesty would not be considered.
Mr Sekeramayi said independent commissions established by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other State institutions should apply directly to the chief elections officer at Zec headquarters.
"Foreign organisations and individuals should direct their applications directly to the chief elections officer at the Zec headquarters," he said
He said local observers would pay US$10 accreditation fees while observers from Africa would part with US$20.
Those from outside Africa would pay US$100 and local journalists working for foreign media houses would pay US$50.
Zimbabwe media practitioners accredited to the Zimbabwe Media Commission would pay US$10.
"All the applications, local or foreign, must be received at the Zec headquarters not later than the fourth day before the first day of the special or ordinary polling," Mr Sekeramayi said.
"All applications must list the names and identity particulars of all individuals seeking accreditation."
He said all applicants were advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 89/2013 (Accreditation of Observers Regulations 2013).
"Zec in terms of Section 40H (1) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2: 13] established an Observer Accreditation Committee to accredit observers for the 2013 harmonised elections," he said.
The accreditation committee is composed of Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and her deputy Mr Joyce Kazembe, Commissioners Geoff Feltoe, Bessie Nhandara and Daniel Chigaru.
Other members are Mr Jospeh Jambo (President's Office and Cabinet), Mr Maxwell Ranga (Justice and Legal Affairs ministry) and Mr Chrispen Mavodza (Foreign Affairs).
Zec chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeremayi yesterday said local organisations and eminent persons should direct their applications to the Commission's provincial election office of the province in which the observers propose to discharge their duties.
"The organisations must be registered as a private voluntary organisation in terms of the Private Voluntary Organisation Act (Chapter 17:05) or established under a Notarial Deed of Trust that is registered in the Deeds Office in terms of the Deed Registries Act (Chapter 20:05)," he said.
"No consortium, confederation or similar association of local organisations may apply for accreditation of its constituent members as observers. The consortium, confederation or association may only apply for the management team or secretariat."
Mr Sekeramayi said no accreditation would be made on behalf of a person who has been convicted of an electoral offence or any other offence for which the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine.
He said anyone convicted of any electoral offence involving fraud or dishonesty would not be considered.
Mr Sekeramayi said independent commissions established by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other State institutions should apply directly to the chief elections officer at Zec headquarters.
He said local observers would pay US$10 accreditation fees while observers from Africa would part with US$20.
Those from outside Africa would pay US$100 and local journalists working for foreign media houses would pay US$50.
Zimbabwe media practitioners accredited to the Zimbabwe Media Commission would pay US$10.
"All the applications, local or foreign, must be received at the Zec headquarters not later than the fourth day before the first day of the special or ordinary polling," Mr Sekeramayi said.
"All applications must list the names and identity particulars of all individuals seeking accreditation."
He said all applicants were advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 89/2013 (Accreditation of Observers Regulations 2013).
"Zec in terms of Section 40H (1) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2: 13] established an Observer Accreditation Committee to accredit observers for the 2013 harmonised elections," he said.
The accreditation committee is composed of Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and her deputy Mr Joyce Kazembe, Commissioners Geoff Feltoe, Bessie Nhandara and Daniel Chigaru.
Other members are Mr Jospeh Jambo (President's Office and Cabinet), Mr Maxwell Ranga (Justice and Legal Affairs ministry) and Mr Chrispen Mavodza (Foreign Affairs).
Source - Herald
