OUR RECOMENDATIONS
In light of the developing situation ZPP makes the following
observations and recommendations.
There is need for the strengthening of the Electoral Act to foster Multi
Party Liason Committees to become a culture that promotes engagement
among political stakeholders and not just spring into action at election
time. The political temperatures are, with no doubt, not going to recede
considering that Zimbabwe is due to hold elections next year. In that
regard, ZPP makes strong recommendations for the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (ZEC), through its Multi-Party Liaison Committee, to
strengthen its ability to hold political parties to account without fear or
favour.
This is because ZPP has observed that violence often happens for a period
before elections and by the time candidates get nominated, communities
will be living in fear already.
Currently, the committees spring into operation after the close of
nomination of candidates, where ZEC appoints a national multiparty
liaison committee for presidential and general elections, a multiparty
liaison committee for each constituency where elections are contested and
a multiparty liaison committee for each local authority (Electoral Act
Chapter 2:13, 160B(1)).
The functions of the committees are, among other things, to manage
conflicts relating to the problems relating to the electoral process and
non-compliance with the code of conduct (check Appendix 1) and to refer
to the ZEC any problems relating to the electoral process. There are no
mechanisms provided for to enforce these decisions, nor are there any
penalties attached to violations of the code of conduct other than those
established in ordinary law and this acts as a point of weakness as parties
can violate the code of conduct with no consequence
In relation to the clampdown on rights activists in communities and the
continued pronouncements by top Zanu PF officials, it appears the Zanu
PF government is determined to pass the PVO Amendment Bill and may
fast track it so that it becomes a useful tool for repression ahead of the
2023 elections. In light of that, ZPP continues to urge for engagement to
ensure that those pushing for the Bill to be passed into law understand
the important and Constitutional role civil society organisations play
towards development.
The politicization of aid is likely to continue and ZPP urges Zanu PF in
particular to respect the role of the Department of Social Work in
discharging its mandate to identify beneficiaries, and lead the distribution
of government aid.
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