ELECTION DRAMA: IS ZIMBABWE READY FOR A FAIR VOTE?
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is facing tough questions again. This happened when Douglas Mwonzora, a leader from a smaller opposition party MDC-T, suddenly pulled out of the presidential race. This move shows some unclear actions by Zec before the 23 August elections.
When Mwonzora pulled out, Zec quickly said it was too late for him to leave the race. But, people are worried because Zec has not always followed the rules in the past. They think Zec is hiding something about the printing of voting papers.
There’s also a dispute between Zec and another candidate, Saviour Kasukuwere. He says Zec printed voting papers before sorting out legal matters linked to his candidacy, which goes against the rules.
If Zec agrees to Mwonzora’s pullout, they will have to print the voting papers again without his name. This is difficult and costly, especially with only 15 days left before the election. Zec seems to be avoiding this by not allowing Mwonzora to leave the race.
Behind all this, there seems to be a hidden plan by Zec. They say a candidate can’t leave the race 21 days before the election to cover up their own wrong actions. It shows Zec is more worried about saving face than ensuring a fair election.
Keeping Mwonzora in the race helps Zec hide the truth about what’s really going on. This also makes people doubt whether Zec is truly interested in a clear and fair election. They seem to be breaking rules to save their own skin.
As everyone in Zimbabwe watches what’s happening, it’s clear that Mwonzora leaving the race has shown some of Zec’s wrong actions. Though Zec says they are following the law, their actions tell a different story.
Mwonzora’s exit shines a light on Zec’s wrongdoings. It shows that Zec is more interested in protecting itself than in a clear and legal election. As the election day gets closer, the people of Zimbabwe are watching closely, hoping for a fair and just voting process as per the rules of the land.
The controversy surrounding the printing of voting papers before resolving legal matters linked to candidates’ eligibility underscores the need for greater transparency in electoral processes. Zec should provide clear, timely information about its actions to all stakeholders to dispel any doubts about the fairness of the election.
The public debate sparked by these issues is a positive sign of an engaged and active civil society. It’s crucial for Zec to take this opportunity to engage constructively with all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the public, to rebuild trust and work towards a more inclusive and accountable electoral process.
The situation involving Douglas Mwonzora’s attempted withdrawal and Zec’s response raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Zimbabwe. For elections to be considered free and fair, it’s imperative that electoral bodies operate transparently and adhere strictly to the rules governing the electoral process. Any deviation not only undermines the credibility of the elections but also erodes public trust in the democratic institutions.