ZEC unveils strategic plan to ensure fair, inclusive elections

Source: ZEC unveils strategic plan to ensure fair, inclusive elections – herald

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has reinforced its dedication to conduct elections in Zimbabwe in an efficient, fair, inclusive and transparent manner.

ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said this yesterday at the launch of the ZEC Strategic Plan and the Gender and Disability Inclusion Policies for 2025-2029 in Harare.

The launch was attended by officials from across various Government departments, the United Nations and political parties.

“This responsibility requires us as ZEC to conduct elections efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently and by the electoral law. We committed ourselves and still commit ourselves to conduct elections in Zimbabwe in an efficient, fair, inclusive and transparent manner.”

Justice Chigumba said ZEC endeavoured to ensure that every citizen, regardless of disability status, was allowed to exercise democratic rights in a barrier-free electoral environment.

She said the launch of the strategic plan, gender policy and the disability policy is a testimony of ZEC’s endeavour to promote inclusivity and strengthen democratic processes.

Justice Chigumba highlighted that in developing the ZEC strategic plan for 2025 to 2029, they were mindful of the projected 2028 voter population.

“These projected voter population statistics inform ZEC strategies and activities for the next five years.

“Among many of our commitments is the commitment to ensure that all citizens, including persons with disabilities, have an opportunity to participate fully in electoral processes.”

Justice Chigumba said the crafting and implementation of the disability inclusion policy is a critical step towards promoting accessibility and inclusivity of persons with disabilities.

She said ZEC’s disability inclusion policy, which aims to align with national and international legal frameworks, was informed by international best practices in election management and disability inclusion.

She thanked the National Disability Board and the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Disability for working closely with the Commission in integrating people with disabilities as employees.

“Critical to this disability inclusion policy is ZEC’s commitment to eliminate barriers faced by persons with disabilities in various roles within the electoral process, provide accessible electoral facilities and making disability inclusive decisions in the whole electoral process,” she said.

The disability Inclusion Policy was also put in Braille.

Justice Chigumba said it will also guide ZEC in the implementation of measures that ensure persons with disabilities participate in elections on an equal footing with other citizens. Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Nobert Mazungunye, who was representing Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who was the guest of honour at the launch, said such policies are important, as they contribute to enhancing democratic practices in the country and national development.

“The development and launch of these policies are in sync with the National Development Strategy 1, which I believe is coming to an end and its successor is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2030 in the NDS2.

“They are also in tandem with the national vision of Zimbabwe of attaining an upper-middle-income society status by 2030,” he said.

Deputy Minister Mazungunye indicated that failure to consider existing gender dynamics in developmental programmes may reduce effectiveness in the realisation of programme objectives.

“It is therefore incumbent upon organisations to develop policies such as these ones we are launching today to ensure they address in one way or another developmental issues and the country’s economic growth,” he said.