Election advocacy group the Election Resource Centre (ERC) has expressed dismay at recent remarks by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) that it has no legal standing to provide the voters roll outside of an election.
In a statement, ERC said the comments were unfortunate and will dent the credibility of the electoral body ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“We are appalled by the statement issued by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on the 28 of May 2022 headed “Issuance of Voters Roll” in which the Commission abhors that it has no legal standing to provide the voters roll outside of an election and it will not be bound by any findings of “independent audits” as they are not provided for in the Electoral Act.
“The comments are unfortunate, dent the image of the Electoral Body and negatively impact citizens and stakeholder trust in the work of the Commission at a time when the Commission ought to be restoring public trust and confidence ahead of the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
“Founding values and principles espoused in the Constitution of Zimbabwe found in Chapter 1 Section 3 (2) on the principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions, include transparency, justice, accountability and responsiveness. ZEC cannot by its very nature of creation shy away from complying with these constitutional principles. For the Commission to selectively choose which sections to comply with is unexpected and concerning,” ERC said
The lobby group called on ZEC to be bound by the Constitution and reflect on the supreme law in a complete manner to further the process of free and credible elections.
“ZEC must restore confidence in its work through constantly making the voters roll accessible to the public and addressing concerns raised by stakeholders. ERC reiterates that ZEC is duty bound in reference to the aspirations of Section 194 (1) (h) of the Constitution. Transparency in election administration must be fostered by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information.
“It is from this backdrop that we encourage ZEC to, not only reflect on what is inscribed in the Electoral Act but to look at the Constitution of Zimbabwe in a holistic manner in order to further the agenda of a free, fair and credible electoral process in Zimbabwe. ERC contends that all these provisions are sufficiently binding and have a direct bearing on the conduct of the Commission and in that regard ZEC must always be seen to be complying with the provisions,” said the lobby group.
