When will Zim be ready for elections?
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/
May 17, 2013 in Opinion
DR Ibbo Mandaza, a local academic, author and publisher, always has
interesting “theories” on politics, current events and how things are likely
to pan out.
Editor’s Memo with Dumisani Mleya
Besides being an intriguing political operator in his own right, his views
can be enlightening, yet sometimes sound theoretical and far-fetched, if
eccentric, before events prove him right — not all the time, but sometimes.
Among some of his thought-provoking views has been his contention that
perhaps Zimbabwe needs a second government of national unity because it
doesn’t look ready for elections now and transition beyond the current
political stalemate.
In the process, Mandaza also argues the media in particular, and academics
in general, have failed so far to probe behind the political rhetoric so as
to identify and explore the dynamics and realities influencing current
politics.
But the strange thing though is that he believes there would be no elections
this year. His main reasons included processes antecedent to the polls and
the Zimbabwe’s leadership succession crisis which cannot be resolved through
elections, but via a “transitional mechanism” until the country is ready for
a meaningful contest.
Mandaza says, first, the time-line for 2013 elections is fading. He also
says aligning some laws to the new constitution will take long.
His other reason is Sadc will remain steadfast in its demands for reforms in
accordance with the agreed roadmap even though the debate on what
constitutes “minimum conditions” for free and fair elections has become
chaotic and even open-ended.
The other issue is Mandaza thinks President Robert Mugabe cannot possibly
reconcile an election agenda in 2013, with all its potential for a bruising
campaign and violence on the one hand, and, on the other, the need to leave
behind a legacy at least acceptable enough to redeem some excesses of his
misrule, while simultaneously bequeathing Zimbabwe a new constitution, a
peaceful transition, economic recovery and a return to the international
community of nations.
Three years ago, Mandaza argued the principals’ forum would have a life of
its own such that Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai would end up
comfy with each other. It initially sounded ridiculous, but it later
transpired Tsvangirai apparently forgot “he who sups with the devil needs a
long spoon”!
Now the big question is: Is Zimbabwe ready for elections and when will the
polls be held? Mandaza thinks there would no elections in 2013. Of course,
many think they will be there even if the country may not be ready.
Frankly speaking, Zimbabwe is not ready for elections. As the Global
Political Agreement lurches towards the end, there are continued violations
of the agreement, rejection of the attendant roadmap and reforms.
Besides, there is chaos on critical processes like voter registration and
voters’ roll compilation, showing electoral institutions such as the
Registrar-General’s Office and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission still lack
capacity and credibility. The public media is still viciously partisan.
Further, Zanu PF is also rejecting agreed reforms and is anxious to prevent
scrutiny as shown by the blocking of a UN election needs assessment mission,
a move underscoring continued lack of conditions for peaceful and credible
elections, despite the adoption by parliament of a flawed constitution this
week.
Mugabe and his loyalists are refusing to co-operate with Sadc; they recently
snubbed President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team and are unwilling to accept
Sadc troika representatives appointed to work with Jomic.
Political leaders are not even agreed on election dates. Their parties haven’t
even held primaries.
The military is still interfering in politics; repression remains rife and
violence lingers. In fact, despite relative calm nothing much has changed
since 2008. So at what point will Zimbabwe be ready for elections?