via ZESN says will not boycott by-elections – New Zimbabwe 21/01/2015
THE Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has said despite the non-existence of important legal electoral requirements they will still observe the by-elections in Mt Darwin East and Chirumhanzu-Zibangwe constituencies set for March 27.
The constituencies fell vacant following the appointment in 2013 of former Vice President Joyce Mujuru and the elevation of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the post of Vice President in December 2014.
ZESN’s stance comes after the MDCs said that they will boycott the by-elections.
However ZESN said in future government should comply with the constitution and proclaim by-elections when due.
“The Network notes that it took over one year for the President to declare vacant the Mt Darwin East Constituency. ZESN encourages the government to comply with the timelines provided in the legal framework of elections to enhance confidence in the electoral processes,” ZESN complained.
The electoral watchdog said government should quickly realign the Electoral Act with the new Constitution to ensure that Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) fully takes over election management.
In a statement Wednesday ZESN said government should urgently address the existing legal vacuum on voter registration to allow ZEC to take over voter registration and management of voters’ roll functions.
Currently there is no law that explicitly identifies a government institution that is responsible for management of the voters roll and for voter registration.
The Constitution which the country adopted last year empowers ZEC with full control of the voter registration process and management of the voters’ roll but the Electoral Amendment Act failed to capture the spirit of these constitutional provisions.
“As a result,” said ZESN, “neither ZEC nor the Registrar General has the legal mandate to register voters, or update the voters’ roll.”
ZESN said there is “need for the electoral reform to address gaps that still exist in the electoral framework, these relate to the right to vote, need for repeal of the Referendums Act and strengthening the effectiveness of the electoral court. ZEC may consider producing literature/publications that simplify and summarize the electoral legislative framework.
“The information should also be translated into the country’s official languages to enable greater access by voters including those in marginalized communities,” the respected organisation said.
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