Timeline stretch for free and fair election
THEMBA SIBANDA in HARARE | 23 July, 2011 18:23
Zimbabwe requires more than 280 days to fully consummate processes that
would lead to a free and fair election whose outcome is not likely to be
contested, it has emerged.
The timeline comes as Zanu-PF, led by President Robert Mugabe, continues
with its push to have presidential and general elections held this year.
The two MDC formations, led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and
Professor Welshman Ncube respectively, have thrown out the bid for the 2011
elections on the basis that there are still a lot of things that need to be
attended to before the ground is cleared for a proper, free and fair
election.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also reiterated that
Zimbabwe is not yet ready to hold free and fair elections, throwing a lobby
by Zanu-PF into disarray.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora told a media conference this week that
Zimbabwe’s preparedness was still far behind the mark, hence there should be
no talk of elections this year.
He revealed that according to the timelines that had been agreed to by the
negotiators, more than 280 days would be sufficient to lay the ground for a
proper election.
“There should be electoral amendments, which were agreed to by the
principals, that should be enacted within 45 days from July 5, 2011.
“After these, there must be voter education and mobilisation exercises
within a further 30 days. When that process is completed, there must be a
voter registration process which must be done within 60 days before a new
voters’ roll is prepared, also within 60 days,” Mwonzora revealed.
The roadmap under discussion by the three parties’ negotiators leaves
Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede with egg on his face after he claimed
Zimbabwe had a perfect voters’ roll which could be used for the anticipated
elections.
It is now agreed, according to Mwonzora, that Zimbabwe needs a new voter’s
roll.
The Zanu-PF politburo argued the old voters’ roll would be used in the
forthcoming election as there was no need to prepare a new one given that
“it was in a perfect condition”.
A recent survey by a South African institute revealed that there were about
41000 octogenarians on the voters’ roll used during the 2008 general
elections and presidential run-off – a development described by the MDC as
one of Zanu-PF’s plots to rig the elections.
Mwonzora disclosed that negotiators from the three parties had also agreed
that after the voters’ roll has been compiled, voters would be allowed to
inspect it and cross-check the correctness of their details within a period
of 60 days.
“After the inspection of the new voter s’ roll and the corrections thereof,
the state (through the Registrar General’s Office) would be allowed 45 days
in which it shall ensure that the voter’s roll is sorted out, with all
mistakes cleared. A new voter’s roll should be produced after the 45-day
period .
“Looking at these alone, you will realise the clamour for elections this
year by Zanu-PF is misplaced and a misreading of the roadmap itself. It is
clear that one needs more than 280 days to ensure that all these things are
done,” he said.
Mwonzora said these provisions were based on the hope that the country
manages to conclude the constitution-making process now under way.