Source: Irregularities mar Mwenezi East campaign – DailyNews Live
Staff Writer 27 March 2017
HARARE – Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) is concerned about
reported cases of intimidation, vote buying, selective application of the
Public Order and Security Act and abuse of traditional leaders which have
characterised the campaign period in the run up to the Mwenezi East
by-election.
Zesn national director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava said the scale of the alleged
violations have resulted in one of the candidates, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti of
the Zimbabwe People First withdrawing from the polls.
In his letter to Zec, Bhasikiti alleged that top Zanu PF officials,
including minister of State for Masvingo province Shuvai Mahofa threatened
to unleash terror on voters in the constituency he occupied before being
expelled from Zanu PF on allegations of belonging to former vice president
Joice Mujuru’s faction.
“Zesn has received reports from its observers in the constituency
highlighting the various electoral violations which include; vote buying
using farming inputs and food handouts, voter intimidation, abuse of
traditional leaders and refusal to grant clearance to opposition political
parties intending to hold rallies.
“Zesn is concerned that there are deliberate attempts to influence voting
patterns using access to food which is regrettable as the people of
Mwenezi are particularly vulnerable owing to poor rainfall patterns in the
region in which the constituency is located.
“For instance, in ward 13, there are allegations that the village head
indicated to his subjects that he would distribute food from the ministry
of Social Welfare to only those who have proof that they registered and
are members of the ruling party,” said Chipfunde-Vava.
She said election campaigns in Zimbabwe are regulated by a code of conduct
for political parties as contained in the Fourth schedule of the Electoral
Act.
The Fourth schedule guarantees that everyone has the right to freely
express their political opinion, campaign and canvass for membership and
support from voters.
“Despite the existence of these provisions, Zesn notes that the electoral
playing field remains skewed in favour of the ruling party candidate which
enjoys the power of incumbency and is reportedly using traditional leaders
to canvass for votes, in contravention of Section 45(2) of the Traditional
Leaders Act.
“Furthermore, Zesn observers have reported that there are numerous
incidents of intimidation of people suspected to be supporters of the
opposition political parties.
“It is alleged that village heads have been instructed by Zanu PF not to
allow the opposition especially Bhasikiti to campaign in their various
communities. For instance, at a meeting held on 7 March 2017, at Rata
Business Centre in ward 2, Zanu PF councillors threatened to take
unspecified action on those who did not attend their rally and vowed to
stop the opposition from campaigning in the area.
“Zesn calls upon the political parties, candidates, the police, the
election management body, the government of Zimbabwe and all other
stakeholders to make concerted efforts to support the creation of a
conducive environment for the holding of free, fair, credible and peaceful
elections in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Sadc guidelines
and norms, AU Charter and the international standards for holding
elections.”
Chipfunde-Vava added that the prevailing political environment is very
restrictive and hinders free expression, association of the individual
citizens.
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