ZESN UPDATE
14 March 2003

CIVIC ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR AN INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Yesterday, ZESN among other civic organisations and political parties called on the government to establish an independent electoral commission comprised of representatives from interested and relevant civic organisations. This call was made at a public hearing on the Electoral Amendment Bill, which was organised by the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio committee.
In a presentation, which was made by Dr Reginald Matchaba Hove, the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) he stressed ZESN’s serious concern on the issue of the proposed accreditation committee, which does not include the civil society organisations but would be made up of government appointees only. He said there is an urgent need for an independent commission, which would ensure that elections are held in a free and transparent manner. “We recommend, that the independent election commission be comprised of representatives from interested and relevant civic organisations and the commission should also be given the privilege to invite observers and monitors in any election”, said Dr Matchaba-Hove.
Dr Matchaba-Hove also added that the idea of having the Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) reporting to the Registrar General is not proper since as a civil servant the interest of the Registrar General may defer transparency and the common interest of democracy. “According to Section 14B (4)(b), the ESC appoints and deploy monitors and reports to the Registrar General, giving the Registrar General an overall say in the process,” said Dr Matchaba Hove.
Among other issues on which ZESN presented were issues of the role and recruitment of observers and monitors. Dr Matchaba-Hove argued that given that the bill states that civic organisations cannot recruit monitors, the whole process is therefore is done by the Electoral Supervisory Commission through the Registrar General, thereby involving civil servants throughout the organising of elections including monitoring.
ZESN also expressed great concern on the issue of voter education. According to section 14D (1) 4, no person other than the Commission or person appointed in terms of subsection (3) by the Commission, a political party, or person registered in terms of this section shall provide voter education.
Dr Matchaba called for broad definition of ‘voter education’ not to include discussions on the electoral law in workshops and public meetings since the ESC is reluctant to appoint and register persons and organisations to assist in voter education.
ZESN also suggested that counting of ballot papers should take place at the polling station, so that the observers can witness the counting and to avoid any swindling of ballots during transportation of ballot boxes to the counting centres.
In consent with ZESN’s presentation, the National Constitutional Assembly’s representative, Mr Felix Mafa added that there was need for an overhaul, of the current Electoral Act backed by Constitutional amendments or a complete overhaul, instead of having piece-meal amendments.
NCA also noted with concern how ineffective the law could be considering the fact that the constitution of Zimbabwe still gives the President so much power, for instance the President can make any regulations on the electoral process in accordance with Section 158 of the Electoral Act.
A ZANU representative also suggested that the Electoral Law should state clearly the issue of postal votes. According to ZANU its major concern as a party was on how the whole process is conducted and its precision.
The MDC director for elections Mr Remius Makuvaza also added that the Electoral Amendment Act should speak clearly on the issue of access to public media by contesting parties and that the issue accessing any of public services, state machinery and state organs for political gains should be clear.
In conclusion, ZESN advocated that the Electoral Amendment Law should reflect the SADC Parliamentary Forum Norms and Standards for free and fair elections.
Whilst the deliberations went on well and in an open atmosphere, ZESN urged the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to take all the concerns raised by all stakeholders seriously.
The Electoral Amendment Bill has gone through the first reading and has an adverse report prepared on it by the Parliamentary Legal Committee after ZESN made submissions before the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the 7th of November 2002. The report is expected to be tabled before Parliament soon.
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Ellen Kandororo
Information Officer
Media and Communication Programme
Zimbabwe Election Support Network [ZESN]
1082 Western Close
Greendale
Harare

Tel/Fax: 263 4 480148/9/498554
E-mail: [email protected]

Website:www.zesn.org.zw