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Zanu-PF, CCC of accused of undermining electoral reforms
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The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC has accused the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) of undoing the democratic gains achieved during the era of the late Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, particularly in terms of electoral reforms.
In a statement issued yesterday, MDC spokesperson Lloyd Damba condemned recent announcements by Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. Ziyambi had revealed that the government plans to transfer the responsibilities for drawing ward and constituency boundaries from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department. Additionally, he disclosed that the Civil Registry would handle automatic voter registration, using citizens' national ID cards, starting when individuals turn 18.
Damba expressed concern that these developments signaled a return to the "old Lancaster House Constitution" and the revival of practices from the era of former Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede and the National Elections Directorate, which were criticized for lack of transparency and accountability.
"This means that Zanu-PF is bringing back the old Lancaster House Constitution and reviving Tobaiwa Mudede and the dreaded National Elections Directorate," Damba said. He further criticized the current leadership of the CCC, accusing them of colluding with Zanu-PF to roll back the electoral reforms that MDC fought for during the constitution-making process.
"The use of these bodies was one of the fundamental reforms that the MDC fought for until we had the current ZEC system. Now they want to give back power to the Executive to run elections, something we refused because of the problems of ghost voters," Damba stated.
In response, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi rejected Damba's claims, clarifying that the party's primary focus was advocating for comprehensive electoral reforms. He emphasized that the aim was to create a fairer electoral system for future elections, not to undermine past achievements.
"Our thrust is to rally citizens to fight for electoral reforms before the next election. No election will be held under these problematic conditions ever again," Mkwananzi remarked.
CCC legislator Corban Madzivanyika weighed in, stating that the proposal to automatically register voters upon reaching the age of 18 could be a positive development. He argued that this would eliminate the need for physical voter registration, thus enhancing efficiency.
"When you are 18 years, you are automatically registered. There is no need for you to go and physically register. I think it is a good development. It can be proper; it can be efficient," Madzivanyika said. He also expressed concerns over potential voter manipulation and the suppression of youth voters, whose influence he believes could alter the political landscape.
Madzivanyika further defended the decision to transfer voter registration responsibilities to the Civil Registry Department, explaining that the department's accurate birth and death records would ensure more authentic voter rolls.
"The reason behind it is that the Civil Registry records the births and deaths. You know, when a person dies, the voter registration will be authentic," Madzivanyika added.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Communications Director Farai Marapira dismissed Damba's criticism, stating that electoral reforms should evolve to meet the changing needs of society and maintain democracy.
"Society is moving so we should continue changing the Constitution so it remains holding democracy and respecting the will of the people and keeping it respecting the citizens who elected legislators to Parliament," Marapira said.
The debate over electoral reforms remains a contentious issue in Zimbabwe, with the MDC accusing both Zanu-PF and the CCC of undermining the democratic processes that the country has fought hard to establish. As the nation looks ahead to future elections, calls for comprehensive electoral reforms continue to grow, with stakeholders on all sides calling for changes to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a statement issued yesterday, MDC spokesperson Lloyd Damba condemned recent announcements by Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. Ziyambi had revealed that the government plans to transfer the responsibilities for drawing ward and constituency boundaries from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department. Additionally, he disclosed that the Civil Registry would handle automatic voter registration, using citizens' national ID cards, starting when individuals turn 18.
Damba expressed concern that these developments signaled a return to the "old Lancaster House Constitution" and the revival of practices from the era of former Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede and the National Elections Directorate, which were criticized for lack of transparency and accountability.
"This means that Zanu-PF is bringing back the old Lancaster House Constitution and reviving Tobaiwa Mudede and the dreaded National Elections Directorate," Damba said. He further criticized the current leadership of the CCC, accusing them of colluding with Zanu-PF to roll back the electoral reforms that MDC fought for during the constitution-making process.
"The use of these bodies was one of the fundamental reforms that the MDC fought for until we had the current ZEC system. Now they want to give back power to the Executive to run elections, something we refused because of the problems of ghost voters," Damba stated.
In response, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi rejected Damba's claims, clarifying that the party's primary focus was advocating for comprehensive electoral reforms. He emphasized that the aim was to create a fairer electoral system for future elections, not to undermine past achievements.
"Our thrust is to rally citizens to fight for electoral reforms before the next election. No election will be held under these problematic conditions ever again," Mkwananzi remarked.
"When you are 18 years, you are automatically registered. There is no need for you to go and physically register. I think it is a good development. It can be proper; it can be efficient," Madzivanyika said. He also expressed concerns over potential voter manipulation and the suppression of youth voters, whose influence he believes could alter the political landscape.
Madzivanyika further defended the decision to transfer voter registration responsibilities to the Civil Registry Department, explaining that the department's accurate birth and death records would ensure more authentic voter rolls.
"The reason behind it is that the Civil Registry records the births and deaths. You know, when a person dies, the voter registration will be authentic," Madzivanyika added.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Communications Director Farai Marapira dismissed Damba's criticism, stating that electoral reforms should evolve to meet the changing needs of society and maintain democracy.
"Society is moving so we should continue changing the Constitution so it remains holding democracy and respecting the will of the people and keeping it respecting the citizens who elected legislators to Parliament," Marapira said.
The debate over electoral reforms remains a contentious issue in Zimbabwe, with the MDC accusing both Zanu-PF and the CCC of undermining the democratic processes that the country has fought hard to establish. As the nation looks ahead to future elections, calls for comprehensive electoral reforms continue to grow, with stakeholders on all sides calling for changes to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
Source - newsday
