News / National
Zapu readies for polls
08 Jun 2011 at 20:19hrs | Views
ZAPU will be participating in the forthcoming national and local elections with the objective of winning and forming the next government of Zimbabwe.
ZAPU MISSION STATEMENT
ZAPU'S mission is to develop, together with the people of Zimbabwe, a democratic state that respects, promotes and protects human rights without discrimination of any kind, such as ethnicity, race, language, gender, religion, political affiliation or opinion; a state whose supreme authority are the citizens.
Zapu will restore the people's hopes and establish true democracy and accountability, based on the founding principles of equality, civil liberties and dignity for all and unflinching commitment to the rule of law.
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
In order to build secure foundations for a democratic state of Zimbabwe, the following issues must be tackled;
. Founding principles of the state
. Bill of rights
. Press Freedom
. Devolution of power to provinces
. Proportional representation as opposed the current, undemocratic first-past-the-post electoral system
. Elections to be held under secret ballot, without fear, intimidation, threats or violence to ensure free and fair elections and protection of the voter.
. Elected president and prime minister
. Totally free judiciary and police in order to eradicate corruption and reduce crime
In order to reduce poverty, a Zapu government will implement policies that increase productive investment, skills development and fair distribution of national income, among other strategies.
GENDER EQUALITY
Zapu is determined to lead Zimbabwe to overcome gender disparities which disadvantage women in all spheres of life. A Zapu government will strive to provide equal opportunities to men and women; to put an end to all gender-based violence in all its forms; and to make motherhood safer.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Zapu fully appreciates that there can be no future Zimbabwe without the youth. Our government will establish a Youth Employment Services to cater for school leavers to be trained in both theory and practical skills to be competitive on the global market, in both employment and self-employment.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SECURITY AND HOUSING
Zapu believes in the right to education and health for all. Provincial governments must have clear powers and responsibility to provide health, education and other social services in their areas.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A Zapu government will implement modern economic policies in fiscal, investment, trade and regional integration issues to promote economic development and growth. Provincial governments will have own economic policies that dovetail into national economic policies.
INVITATION TO PROSPECTIVE ELECTION CANDIDATES
In order to successfully implement our policies, Zapu hereby invites all party members of good standing to offer themselves as candidates for local government, parliamentary and senatorial elections, which we presume will be held in 2011.
Provincial committees composed of National Peoples Council members and provincial Council of Elders members will assess individual applications and make recommendations to the national elections committee. Selected candidates will undergo an intensive Zapu seminar before being released to campaign in their respective constituencies on the Zapu ticket.
COUNCILLORS
Any literate member with good community interaction and of good standing in law, residing in the preferred ward may apply. Women representation in the local elections should be at least 33 percent, while a minimum of two percent or at least one ward (whichever is greater) must be reserved for people with disabilities in each local authority. Applicants must be 30 years of age or older and be citizens of Zimbabwe.
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND SENATORS
Applicants must be citizens of good standing and aged above 30 years for MPs and 40 years for senators. Zapu will strive for 50/50 gender balance in this category. Candidates must possess relevant educational, professional or other qualifications befitting of the office.
All aspiring candidates must ensure that their detailed CVs reach provincial Zapu offices by June 30, 2011. In addition, candidates are required to fill a selection form available from party offices, locally and abroad.
After vetting, the committees will compile a list of successful candidates. There will be a maximum of five shortlisted for each ward or constituency. The shortlisted candidates will present themselves before their constituencies, that is, Zapu branches for ward councilors, branches and districts for MPs and senators. The candidates would be required to present their credentials and plans for their constituencies. Party members would be expected to reach a consensus on the best candidates. The result would be reconciled with the committee results for a final selection.
Zapu believes the primary election system is open to abuse by rich individuals who buy votes and may result in the election of people with no vision for their areas. Primary elections also result in unnecessary intraparty squabbles.
ZAPU MISSION STATEMENT
ZAPU'S mission is to develop, together with the people of Zimbabwe, a democratic state that respects, promotes and protects human rights without discrimination of any kind, such as ethnicity, race, language, gender, religion, political affiliation or opinion; a state whose supreme authority are the citizens.
Zapu will restore the people's hopes and establish true democracy and accountability, based on the founding principles of equality, civil liberties and dignity for all and unflinching commitment to the rule of law.
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
In order to build secure foundations for a democratic state of Zimbabwe, the following issues must be tackled;
. Founding principles of the state
. Bill of rights
. Press Freedom
. Devolution of power to provinces
. Proportional representation as opposed the current, undemocratic first-past-the-post electoral system
. Elections to be held under secret ballot, without fear, intimidation, threats or violence to ensure free and fair elections and protection of the voter.
. Elected president and prime minister
. Totally free judiciary and police in order to eradicate corruption and reduce crime
In order to reduce poverty, a Zapu government will implement policies that increase productive investment, skills development and fair distribution of national income, among other strategies.
GENDER EQUALITY
Zapu is determined to lead Zimbabwe to overcome gender disparities which disadvantage women in all spheres of life. A Zapu government will strive to provide equal opportunities to men and women; to put an end to all gender-based violence in all its forms; and to make motherhood safer.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Zapu fully appreciates that there can be no future Zimbabwe without the youth. Our government will establish a Youth Employment Services to cater for school leavers to be trained in both theory and practical skills to be competitive on the global market, in both employment and self-employment.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SECURITY AND HOUSING
Zapu believes in the right to education and health for all. Provincial governments must have clear powers and responsibility to provide health, education and other social services in their areas.
A Zapu government will implement modern economic policies in fiscal, investment, trade and regional integration issues to promote economic development and growth. Provincial governments will have own economic policies that dovetail into national economic policies.
INVITATION TO PROSPECTIVE ELECTION CANDIDATES
In order to successfully implement our policies, Zapu hereby invites all party members of good standing to offer themselves as candidates for local government, parliamentary and senatorial elections, which we presume will be held in 2011.
Provincial committees composed of National Peoples Council members and provincial Council of Elders members will assess individual applications and make recommendations to the national elections committee. Selected candidates will undergo an intensive Zapu seminar before being released to campaign in their respective constituencies on the Zapu ticket.
COUNCILLORS
Any literate member with good community interaction and of good standing in law, residing in the preferred ward may apply. Women representation in the local elections should be at least 33 percent, while a minimum of two percent or at least one ward (whichever is greater) must be reserved for people with disabilities in each local authority. Applicants must be 30 years of age or older and be citizens of Zimbabwe.
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND SENATORS
Applicants must be citizens of good standing and aged above 30 years for MPs and 40 years for senators. Zapu will strive for 50/50 gender balance in this category. Candidates must possess relevant educational, professional or other qualifications befitting of the office.
All aspiring candidates must ensure that their detailed CVs reach provincial Zapu offices by June 30, 2011. In addition, candidates are required to fill a selection form available from party offices, locally and abroad.
After vetting, the committees will compile a list of successful candidates. There will be a maximum of five shortlisted for each ward or constituency. The shortlisted candidates will present themselves before their constituencies, that is, Zapu branches for ward councilors, branches and districts for MPs and senators. The candidates would be required to present their credentials and plans for their constituencies. Party members would be expected to reach a consensus on the best candidates. The result would be reconciled with the committee results for a final selection.
Zapu believes the primary election system is open to abuse by rich individuals who buy votes and may result in the election of people with no vision for their areas. Primary elections also result in unnecessary intraparty squabbles.
Source - ZAPU
