Opinion / Columnist
NERA adopted a two pronged strategy
28 Feb 2017 at 07:08hrs | Views
Since 2015, the MDCT through NERA has wedged a dedicated fight for electoral reform in Zimbabwe. These reforms are aimed at leveling the playing field in our country ahead of the crucial 2018 elections. To this end NERA adopted a two pronged strategy.
The first was through mass demonstrations while the second was through direct engagement with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The countrywide demonstrations were kick-started by the historic mass demonstrations organized by the MDCT in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare in 2016. Encouraged and buoyed by the success of these demonstrations other social movements notably Tajamuka and #thisflag and the National Vendors Association also organized mass protests as well.
On the negotiating table NERA extracted a number of concessions from ZEC. These included the construction of a new voters roll through the Biometric Voter Registration system, a transparent and inclusive voter education program and regular meetings between ZEC and the political parties through the ZEC-Political Parties Platform.
It was at this platform that it was agreed that the procurement of the BVR kits would be done by ZEC through the UNDP. Consequently, a joint advertisement was flighted by the UNDP and ZEC calling upon all potential suppliers of these kits to place their bids. These bids were opened at the UNDP offices in Copenhagen and this was witnessed by both ZEC and the political parties. It was further agreed that once the winner of the tender was declared, political parties would second their technical experts to inspect these kits.
Suddenly, the government announced that it was taking over the BVR kits procurement process! Among other things this means that the government will now select the supplier of these kits. Political parties and other stakeholders will thus not be able to monitor the process.
NERA totally rejects this move because it is designed to enable the government to manipulate the procurement process. That way the government will also manipulate the 2018 election process. In other words this move marks the beginning of the rigging of the 2018 elections.
We therefore call upon all Zimbabweans to rise up and resist this manipulation. To that end NERA is organizing nationwide demonstrations to show the people's outrage at this political abomination. Thus all Zimbabweans irrespective of their political affiliation are called to action. Together we will win. Victory is certain.
The first was through mass demonstrations while the second was through direct engagement with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The countrywide demonstrations were kick-started by the historic mass demonstrations organized by the MDCT in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare in 2016. Encouraged and buoyed by the success of these demonstrations other social movements notably Tajamuka and #thisflag and the National Vendors Association also organized mass protests as well.
On the negotiating table NERA extracted a number of concessions from ZEC. These included the construction of a new voters roll through the Biometric Voter Registration system, a transparent and inclusive voter education program and regular meetings between ZEC and the political parties through the ZEC-Political Parties Platform.
Suddenly, the government announced that it was taking over the BVR kits procurement process! Among other things this means that the government will now select the supplier of these kits. Political parties and other stakeholders will thus not be able to monitor the process.
NERA totally rejects this move because it is designed to enable the government to manipulate the procurement process. That way the government will also manipulate the 2018 election process. In other words this move marks the beginning of the rigging of the 2018 elections.
We therefore call upon all Zimbabweans to rise up and resist this manipulation. To that end NERA is organizing nationwide demonstrations to show the people's outrage at this political abomination. Thus all Zimbabweans irrespective of their political affiliation are called to action. Together we will win. Victory is certain.
Source - Douglas Mwonzora
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