United, the People can reform Zanu-PF out of power

The People's Democratic Party urges the nation to continue on a unity path in the fight for electoral reforms, the power of unity was visible at the NERA demonstration yesterday.

ZANU-PF have in the past and more recently been boasting that they will not reform themselves out of power a direct confirmation that they are in control of what happens at ZEC or that the electoral board is their extension.

Rita Makarau's Refusal to engage with civic society and political parties is further proof that ZEC is captured by ZANU-PF therefore needs to be dismantled.

With this in mind Party President Tendai Biti joined other political leaders at the NERA demonstration adding his voice to the idea of disbanding ZEC.

"Today we are sending a clear message to Robert Mugabe that we are coming for you," the President said in a message highlighting the need for a level playing field.

In our political roadmap the Agenda for Restoration and Rehabilitation of Electoral Sustainability (ARREST) we mention that a coalition against dictatorship gives Zimbabweans a fighting chance and more importantly a bigger voice in demanding electoral reforms. The idea of uniting to fight for another Zimbabwe dates back to the Mandel Declaration of April 2014.

In ARREST, under a Cannon G titled "Conditions for a Free and Fair Election" (COFFEE) we highlight the minimum benchmarks that ZEC must meet before the next election. If ZEC is unable to provide the following we will continue together with other Zimbabweans to demand that it is disbanded:
 
Election management - Election management must be done by an independent board. Currently ZEC secretariat is part of the rot. From time immemorial comprised of members of serving and ex - military and the intelligence services whose role is to ensure a ZANU PF victory in all elections held.

Voter's Roll - ZEC is failing to define a proper roadmap towards a fresh voters roll instead they are creating confusion around BVR procurement. A fresh voter's roll must be put in place through a credible transparent process which will allow all Zimbabweans to participate.

Voter Education - ZEC's monopoly on voter education is unfair civic society, political parties and Zimbabweans at large must be allowed to educate citizens on electoral processes.

Diaspora Vote - Section 67 of the Zimbabwean constitution provides that every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to make political choices freely and to participate in peaceful political activity. The section further guarantees that every Zimbabwean citizen above the age of 18years has the right to vote in all elections and referendums. Therefore ZEC must put in place a mechanism to allow all Zimbabweans who stay abroad to vote.

Electoral Law - The Act itself is marred with errors, cross references to non-existent sections and contradictory provisions and importantly, there are Sections at which the Act is at variants with the Constitution. In that regard there must be a brand new Electoral Act drafted in the spirit and letter of the constitution.

Electoral Code of Conduct - A new Electoral Code of Conduct needs to be drawn up and enshrined in the Electoral Act. Political parties are currently not bound by law to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct which was drawn up by the Organ of National Healing.

Election material - The transparent and legal manner of handling election material must clearly be defined in the electoral act.

Electoral Courts of Violence - The people have been exposed to state sponsored violence in the past. To protect the people of Zimbabwe from another surge of similar madness, the PDP calls for the creation of wholly independent, impartial, accountable and fair electoral courts of violence; with at least one in every Province. These Electoral Courts of violence must be provided for in the Electoral Act.

Results Management - Due to the incompetence and partiality of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, there is no adherence of any form of system of results management. all facets of Results Management  be enshrined in the Electoral Act Importantly, ZEC must be obligated by the law to produce an elections report no later than six months after the completion of any election.

The electoral environment - Apart from the overhaul of the electoral law and the electoral management body, there needs to be a complete change of the electoral environment in an attempt to create a conducive electoral environment and erase the fear and apathy that has engulfed the Zimbabwean electorate.

Media Reform - All political parties, civic society and other organizations must have immediate access to the National Broadcaster, the ZBC, and the radio stations in the country.

We believe that a credible election is key in ending the leadership crisis, which we deem an issue of legitimacy, stolen elections has always been "Africa's false start".