ZESN should stop making pointless claims

It is worrisome that the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) recently claimed that it was concerned with the 'unusual' higher numbers of registered voters in alleged Zanu-PF's stronghold.

ZESN has been known for decampaigning the ruling Government and its programmes that have anything to do with elections. Its argument that there are unusually increased numbers of voters who registered in Zanu-PF strongholds does not hold water. ZESN is bent on damaging the credibility of the electoral process and is attempting to create a wrong impression that a plan to rig the forthcoming elections is in the offing.

The report that ZESN got from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) depicts that most people who registered to vote are from the rural areas and high density suburbs such as Harare South and Epworth. Quoted in the NewsDay of 27 March 2018, ZESN said, "Of concern to Zesn are the higher numbers of registered voters in Goromonzi South with 65 539, Epworth 63 961, Dangamvura-Chikanga 58 000 and Harare South 60 270 constituencies...."

Honestly, there is no harm for such increased numbers of registered voters in those areas. If Zanu-PF managed to mobilise its members to go and register to vote, what stopped other political parties to do the same in areas that they believe are their strongholds. It is the duty of political party leaders, the civil society and ZEC to intensify voter education and persuading members of different political parties to register to vote. In that vein, ZESN should not complain about the increased numbers of voters in some areas against other places.

From the look of things, ZESN seems to be campaigning on behalf of the opposition, MDC-T. That Non-Governmental Organisation is fighting hard from the corner of MDC-T at the expense of other opposition political parties. ZESN's mandate of attempting to portray Zanu-PF as a deceitful party that is not transparent is being exposed through such unreasonable claims.

Likewise, ZESN once released a press statement raising concerns over the introduction of proof of residence requirements for voter registration by ZEC saying the move was stringent and it excluded a significant number of voters.

ZESN's efforts to taint the image of Zanu-PF could signify how that NGO is singing for its supper. When it's election period, uncouth NGOs try by all means to pursue their nefarious agendas. It is known that most NGOs operating in the country are clandestinely spearheading regime change, hence they want to be seen doing something by their donors. No wonder why most NGOs have a propensity of sending a wrong picture about the Government to the outside world. The world is made to wrongly believe that the ruling Government is wicked through such biased reports.

If statistics from ZEC say Zanu-PF strongholds recorded highest number of registered voters, it should then explain the reason why the ruling party has always been winning elections in the past years. It is imperative for all political parties to realize and appreciate that what really matters is the number of registered voters and not the high number of crowds that attend rallies. Nevertheless, it is saddening that most politicians lack political foresight. Many a time, political party leaders blame each other for rigging elections in the event that one party loses.

Therefore, ZESN should just wake up and start smelling the coffee. The revolutionary party should continue persuading its members to register to vote before the closing date. On the other hand, if ZESN is supporting MDC-T, it should encourage its members to register as voters rather than tainting images of other political parties.