The Nelson Chamisa led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance says it maintains that there won’t be elections if the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) refuses to implement electoral reforms, the demands the opposition group has been clamouring for in a long time.
By Costa Nkomo
Last week the MDC Alliance petitioned ZEC to effect electoral reforms so that the elections will produce undisputable outcomes which the electoral body has since dismissed as a nonentity.
Briefing the media at the High Court in the capital this morning after filing nomination papers for the Alliance Presidential candidate, Jameson Timba, the Liaison Officer and President’s Chief Election Agent, warned that ZEC should not undermine Chamisa’s resolve and his ability to stop elections in the event that electoral reforms are not implemented.
“Let me reiterate what our President has said if these demands are not met there will be no election…and I would like you not to underestimate his resolve and capacity to see through this position,” warned Timba.
Chamisa is on record saying if electoral reforms are not put, they will not take part and would see to it that they do not proceed.
MDC-T youth Secretary-General, Happymore Chidziva, is also on record solidifying his leader’s position regarding electoral reforms saying they are prepared to sacrifice their lives to save their vote while warning that they have the potential to bring the whole country to a standstill.
It is against this background that ZEC has come under scrutiny by the opposition political parties.
After failing to avail the voter’s roll that could have easily led aspiring candidates into the nomination court today, Timba charged that the electoral body showed that it is incompetent and irresponsible.
“It is very sad, irresponsible and incompetent that up to the day of the nomination court, ZEC has not produced a voter’s roll, which should have been availed to all participants prior to the nomination court. It is unforgivable for an electoral body to do that.
“You will understand now the issues that we have been raising, the need for ZEC to be able to conduct itself and perform its duties both as provided for by the constitution and electoral act, they have failed in that regard.”
The nomination court sitting to accredit contestants for all positions; presidential, senators, the house of assembly and councillors is underway, and the results are expected by the end of the day today.
Zimbabwe is holding harmonised elections on the 30th of July 2018 for the first time since independence without Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai on the ballot papers.
