President Mugabe congratulates new ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and Human Rights Commission chairperson Mr Jacob Mudenda after swearing them into office at State House in Harare on March 15, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Revolutionary party ignites star rallies
Thursday, 11 July 2013 03:46
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald
ZANU-PF hits the campaign trail for the July 31 harmonised elections today, with President Mugabe scheduled to address a star rally at Nzvimbo Growth Point in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province.
Yesterday, the Politburo met at the revolutionary party’s national headquarters in Harare where the itinerary for President Mugabe’s star rallies was discussed, among other issues related to the elections.
After today’s launch, the next stop would be in Marange, Manicaland, on Saturday followed by another rally in Marondera, Mashonaland East, on Monday and then Chitungwiza on Tuesday.
The President is then expected to address the party’s supporters at Chinhoyi Stadium in Mashonaland West next Thursday, followed by another star rally at Lupane in Matabeleland North on July 19 and another one at Pelandaba Stadium, Matabeleland South, on July 20.
Cde Mugabe, who is the Zanu-PF First Secretary and President, would head for Masvingo on July 25, followed by Bulawayo on July 27.
He would then conclude the programme with a star rally in Harare on July 28.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the Politburo also discussed various aspects of the campaign.
“We looked at transport and logistics, although I am not going into the details. We also talked about the media campaign, which I head. We are working flat out to ensure that we saturate the whole country with advertisements,” he said.
Cde Gumbo said Zanu-PF would also take its message to the people using social media platforms.
“We are going to use social media — Facebook, YouTube and Twitter — everything that is there, we are going to use.”
Meanwhile, Cde Gumbo said the Politburo yesterday resolved to expel Dr Munyaradzi Kereke from the party for insubordination.
“We also talked about the issue of Kereke and it took quite a bit of our time. The decision of the Politburo is that Kereke is dismissed or expelled from the party with immediate effect because of insubordination.
“If he is a party cadre, he should follow the decision of the Politburo; he should follow the leadership of the party.
“He cannot use the party regalia that includes his photograph and that of the President at the back. The provincial chairman, Cde (Lovemore) Matuke, the other guy who signed for Kereke for the Nomination Court, will be brought to the disciplinary committee.
“They are the ones who handled that issue, so that is as far as the Kereke issue is concerned.”
Dr Kereke filed nomination papers on a Zanu-PF ticket along with Cde Elias Musakwa to contest the Bikita West constituency currently held by MDC-T’s Heya Shoko.
The Politburo, however, directed Cde Kereke to withdraw his papers and endorsed the candidature of Cde Musakwa.
Cde Gumbo warned other Zanu-PF members who filed their papers as independent candidates to desist from using the party regalia in their campaigns.
“Those independent candidates who are using the President’s photographs and other Zanu-PF regalia and so on are advised to desist from doing so.
“The position of the party is clear: they are firm on people who are insubordinate,” he added.
Zanu-PF launched its manifesto last week at the historic Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare.
The manifesto is dubbed, “Taking Back the Economy, Indigenise, Empower, Develop and Create Employment”.
Special vote foolproof: Makarau
Thursday, 11 July 2013 03:48
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Rita Makarau yesterday said there was nothing controversial about the number of police officers who applied to cast special votes next week as the process would be open to observers.
About 69 000 officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police form the bulk of 87 000 people expected to cast the first votes of Election 2013 under the special voting facility.
A total of 15 000 officials from ZEC, 2 000 from the Zimbabwe Prison Service and 140 officers from the Zimbabwe National Army are expected to vote next Sunday and Monday.
The generality of Zimbabweans will vote on July 31.
Special voting takes place 16 days prior to voting day at 209 polling stations countrywide.
The Electoral Act allows members of the security services, including the army, police and prisons who will be on duty on formal polling dates, to vote two weeks before an election.
This is also in line with AU Conventions to which Zimbabwe is party.
Responding to concerns raised by some civil society organisation at a briefing in Harare, Justice Makarau said the number of police officers who applied to vote on special voting days had not been inflated.
“We are relying on the information that we have from the police that all the applicants are members of the uniformed police.
“They have given us their names, force numbers and EC numbers and that information will say they are all members of the police force,” she said.
She challenged those questioning the authenticity of the 69 000 police officers who applied for special voting to bring evidence that they were not members of the security forces.
Yesterday, MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti queried the figure while addressing journalists.
He said according to the police payroll, the force’s establishment was far less than 69 000.
Justice Makarau said the police had not only roped in regular members but police constabularies, who are members of their reserve team.
This was confirmed by police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, who said regular members of the force had always been beefed up by members of the special constabulary in all elections held since 1980.
“We are beefed up by the Police Constabulary, which is empowered under the Police Act to perform any duties performed by regular members of the force.
“And it is not only for this election but for all elections held in this country, the Police Constabulary have always helped.
“What people who are querying the special voting numbers forget is that the police will not only be performing election-related duties as the overall security of the nation is the responsibility of the ZRP.
“More so, if you look at the number of polling stations this year, they are by far more than any we have ever had,’’ Senior Asst Comm Charamba said.
Justice Makarau allayed fears of abuse of the special voting facility, saying said a lot of safeguards had been put in place to avoid abuse of the system.
“But remember you will be observing the elections, so you will see these men and women in the queue as they cast their vote in public,” she said.
She said a number of mechanisms had been put in place to address fears of abusing the special vote.
Justice Makarau said there would be no extension of voter registration since doing so would be in violation of the enabling legal statutes that provided for a 30-day intensive voter registration.
She said the voters’ roll would now be closed and any person registering beyond the deadline would not be allowed to vote on July 31 but in subsequent elections.
Zanu-PF stretches election lead
Thursday, 11 July 2013 03:41
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF stretched its head start in the harmonised elections after bagging 75 council wards unopposed at the close of Nomination Court countrywide, while MDC-T secured four wards, according to figures compiled by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
There are 1 958 wards countrywide.
The revolutionary party secured the wards in perceived MDC-T strongholds in Matabeleland as MDC-T failed to field candidates there.
ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said no ballot papers would be printed in wards where candidates were nominated unopposed.
She said this while addressing civil society organisations whom she gave an update on special voting to be held on July 14 and 15.
“There are 79 uncontested wards and in that case we will not print ballot papers because there will be no election in those wards,” said Justice Makarau.
According to ZEC figures gleaned by The Herald, Zanu-PF won unopposed in some wards in Hwange, Kusile, Umguza and Bulilima and Matobo rural district councils, perceived MDC-T strongholds.
MDC-T won unopposed in wards from Pfura, Nyanga, Chimanimani and Chipinge rural district councils.
In some instances, Zanu-PF secured more than four wards in a single local authority.
The party garnered seven wards in Zvimba rural district council, five wards in Pfura, Makonde, Mwenezi and Chiredzi rural district councils and four wards in Hurungwe.
In Mt Darwin South, Zanu-PF won five seats uncontested, while the others are in Rushinga and Muzarabani.
Six Zanu-PF candidates in Hurungwe’s 26 rural wards were duly elected councillors after their papers sailed through unopposed during a Nomination Court that sat in the Hurungwe Rural District Council boardroom.
Parties hail move to increase polling stations
Thursday, 11 July 2013 03:30
Felex Share Herald Reporter
Political parties have hailed the decision by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to increase the number of polling stations for the harmonised elections, saying the move would ensure that all registered voters cast their ballots.
Zimbabweans go to the polls on July 31 to elect a President, senators, National Assembly members and councillors in the synchronised elections. Zec yesterday provisionally published 9 670 polling stations to be used for the polls, an increase from the 8 998 voting sites that were used in the 2008 harmonised elections.
Zec deputy chairperson Mrs Joyce Kazembe said the increase in the polling stations, established in terms of section 51 (3) of the Electoral Act, was a response to the increased number of people who had registered to vote.
She said the polling stations were increased after consultations with stakeholders, who included political parties.
“We consult stakeholders if they want additional polling stations. For this election, it was agreed that since the number of people who registered had increased inevitably, we had to do the same on the number of polling stations. If we had relied on the number of 2008 harmonised elections, we felt that we may not be able to finish all the people,” she said.
Mrs Kazembe said the figure could change, if there was any need.
The number of people on the voters’ roll has increased from over five million to more than six million since mandatory voter registration began with the publication of the new constitution on May 22. As of June 30, Registrar of Voters Tobaiwa Mudede said at least 476 313 new voters were registered, while 142 624 voters had transferred from their initial voting centres.
He said 595 746 people had inspected the voters’ roll, with 337 030 others acquiring national identification cards. Political parties said the move to increase polling stations was welcome and would see all those wishing to vote on election day casting their ballot.
“More people have registered for the elections and should be given a chance to register. This is a good observation by Zec and we hope many people will vote to choose their leaders in the elections,” said Zanu-PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi described the increase as a “positive move”. He said more polling stations should be opened in rural areas to save people from walking long distances.
“The MDC applauds Zec for availing more polling stations to the people though we are still discussing and scrutinising them,” he said.
“The increase will do away with chaos at the polling stations. The MDC will not hesitate to approach Zec with suggestions, advice or requests if there is need for adjustments. We expect Zec to recruit competent staff to complement the polling stations.”
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said while the increase in the number of polling stations was welcome there was a need for them to be spread evenly.
“It is a good move and we are still studying the list published. They might be many but we want them to be spread evenly. Our election department is looking into that.”
According to the schedule published by Zec, Midlands has the highest number of polling stations with 1 342, followed by Mashonaland West (1 303), Manicaland (1 297), Masvingo (1 234), and Mashonaland East (1 047). Harare has 830 polling stations, Mashonaland Central (822), Matabeleland North (783), Matabeleland South (622) and Bulawayo (390).
Sadc Parly Forum observers arrive
Thursday, 11 July 2013 03:27
Zvamaida Murwira Herald Reporter
A 60-member Sadc Parliamentary Forum election observer mission arrived in Harare yesterday to observe the harmonised elections set for July 31.
The mission is headed by His Royal Highness Prince Guduza Dlamini, Speaker of the National Assembly of Swaziland.
In a statement last night, Prince Guduza said the mission would be in Zimbabwe until August 4.
The mission starts its work with meetings aimed at familiarising members with the country’s laws, the context in which the elections were being held and assisting members to appreciate their terms of reference.
“The Mission will deploy its teams to all the country’s 10 provinces from July 14, where they will interact with stakeholders and the electorate. We will observe the polling and the counting of votes.
“The Mission will re-convene in Harare on August 1 to compile and issue its interim statement detailing the findings, recommendations and conclusions on the credibility of the electoral process,” the mission said in a statement.
The mission said its observation would be based on Sadc PF’s Norms and Standards for Elections in the Sadc Region and Sadc Principles and Guidelines on Elections, and other regional and international election instruments.
The mission is expected to observe special voting aimed at enabling those who would de deployed to various areas on July 31 to cast their votes early.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has set July 14 and 15 as the dates for the special voting.
Government has since declared that western countries that imposed sanctions will not be allowed to observe the polls.
No comments:
Post a Comment