Denial of access to journalists
Journalists were barred by ZEC from observing the voter registration blitz on the basis that they
had not been accredited. This happened on March 12 the first day of the BVR registration blitz. This
happened even as the journalists are accredited with the Zimbabwe Media Commission. A CITE
news crew covering the first day of the registration exercise was denied information at various
centres across Bulawayo, denied permission to take pictures and were instructed by the ZEC staff
to only observe. For a long time, media practitioners have raised concerns on dual accreditation
as they are already accredited by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) to practise as journalists
and are also required by ZEC to accredit to cover elections. ZEC also allegedly failed to provide a
position on accreditation at an all-stakeholders meeting conducted in Bulawayo on March 9, 2023.
The lack of a position by ZEC made it difficult for political parties, journalists and election
observers to observe the voter registration process. Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP)
spokesperson, Velile Moyo, described these actions as ZEC’s unwillingness to respond to
transparency in election reforms. After the incidents on the first day encountered by journalists
ZEC then issued a statement to the effect that journalists were free to observe the registration
exercise with access to all information crucial for the discharge of their duties.
Recommendations
The Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission should adopt a coordinated or
collaborative strategy to guarantee media
practitioners seamless conduct of their work.
MARCH 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
9