Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwe Elections lack transparency and credibility
17 Aug 2023 at 15:12hrs | Views
The recent ruling by the court of appeal dismissing a request by the main opposition party (CCC) to have access to an up-to-date voter's roll is now a major cause for concern. Why is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) refusing access to an updated voter's roll? What is ZEC hiding? Is ZEC now the de facto vehicle for Zanu-PF chicanery, machination, and political stratagem? ZEC should strive to uphold principles of transparency and credibility or else the general election process will become another farce.
In the past, the contents of the voter's roll have always been a contentious issue. Opposition parties have constantly alleged that the ruling party, Zanu-PF, often manipulates the voters to their favour.
Previous voter's rolls are known to be fraught with inaccuracies and full of "ghost voters". It is often alleged that prior to the general election, Zanu-PF members staff the voters roll with names of dead people, ineligible voters, and underage voters. "Wild claims" about dead voters who died in 1980s yet still on the voter's roll have constantly been made. It is considering such previous allegations that it is now incumbent upon ZEC to avail an up-to-date voter's roll.
Unless an up-to-date voter's roll is availed, it means Zanu-PF is already leading even if the race has not started. The whole election process now risks being a charade. The court of appeal judgement is biased and is a travesty of justice. Zanu-PF's invisible hand in all these shenanigans is easily traceable.
Zimbabweans must wake up and demand an effective and efficient electoral process.
Simbabrashe Jingo CCC member, Milton Keynes, UK.
In the past, the contents of the voter's roll have always been a contentious issue. Opposition parties have constantly alleged that the ruling party, Zanu-PF, often manipulates the voters to their favour.
Previous voter's rolls are known to be fraught with inaccuracies and full of "ghost voters". It is often alleged that prior to the general election, Zanu-PF members staff the voters roll with names of dead people, ineligible voters, and underage voters. "Wild claims" about dead voters who died in 1980s yet still on the voter's roll have constantly been made. It is considering such previous allegations that it is now incumbent upon ZEC to avail an up-to-date voter's roll.
Unless an up-to-date voter's roll is availed, it means Zanu-PF is already leading even if the race has not started. The whole election process now risks being a charade. The court of appeal judgement is biased and is a travesty of justice. Zanu-PF's invisible hand in all these shenanigans is easily traceable.
Zimbabweans must wake up and demand an effective and efficient electoral process.
Simbabrashe Jingo CCC member, Milton Keynes, UK.
Source - Simbabrashe Jingo
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