CCC calls out Zec-Zanu PF alleged collusion on voters’ roll

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)  has accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the ruling Zanu PF of working in cahoots on the voters’ register.

While addressing a press briefing designed to rally supporters’ participation in the  voters’ roll inspection process which commences today, CCC Spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere stressed that the voters’ roll should be accessible to everyone and not just one player.

Refering to the widely distributed WhatsApp and SMS messages allegedly sent to Zimbabweans by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, spurring people to join a Zanu PF WhatsApp group, Mahere expressed strong  suspicions that the ruling party has a copy of the voters roll that has proved elusive to the opposition.

“What we have seen since the voter registration process is that it would appear that Zanu PF has a copy of the voters’ roll.  Why do we say this? You saw all the WhatsApp or SMS messages that everyone was receiving which were allegedly from Mr. Mnangagwa saying please join this WhatsApp group that belongs to Zanu PF.

What is interesting about these WhatsApp messages are that they correlate with the new constituency boundaries.   The voters’ roll doesn’t disclose people’s phone numbers – the question that we ask the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is how did Zanu PF obtain each citizen’s phone number? That information is in Zec’s database. Does Zanu PF have access to that database? That’s the question that we are asking,” said Mahere.

“More fundamentally with that, if Mr. Mnangagwa is able to send those messages, it means he has got some information we don’t have because certainly we don’t have candidates’ information that will allow us to establish who is registered in which constituency and also their polling areas and stations,” she added.

Mahere urged Zec to operate within the confines of its constitutional mandate, demonstrate independence and level the playing field for every player.

“We continue to demand from Zec that this election should not only be free and fair but should also be credible. You cannot hand one party the voters roll and deny it to another. You can’t disclose people’s phone numbers and their private data to one political party and obviously abuse that for political purposes. This is why we continue to say Zec has a constitutional obligation to be independent and non-partisan, they cannot take Zanu PF’s side,” she said.

Buoyed by a recent high court judgement that dismissed an application by CCC MP for Harare North, Allan Markham demanding the release of the electronic voters’ roll to be used in the upcoming general elections, Zec has stuck to its guns by keeping the electronic voter’s roll under wraps.

Through his lawyer, Trust Manjengwa, the  MP argued that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was acting unconstitutionally by failing to release the electronic voters roll.

However, in delivering his judgement Justice Never Katiyo said Markham approached the court prematurely as there was room for engagement. He said the voters’ roll was a sensitive document to be dished out without addressing security concerns.

“Lawyer representing respondent also argued that we now have the Cyber and Data protection Act and under sec 13 and 18, ZEC is protected to safeguard people’s data from manipulation and misuse.The intention of the legislature was to have this voters’ roll put to the public without fear or favour so that it would open in a democratic society. The constitution is also clear that the mandate to compile and share the roll is with ZEC. The applicant other than being a citizen is a legislator and that cannot be ignored.

“He was asked if he was doing it on his personal interest and he said he wears all faces as alluded to. Case authorities have been cited and some seem to bear non-relevance in this case…the question is whether the respondent acted reasonably.

Applicant said he wanted an electronic voters roll further applicant qualifies as a person to get that voters roll, he argues hard copy is tantamount to giving him a mountain.

Courts are there to protect citizens as mandated, judicial officers that they discharge the duty without fear or favour. The law gives ZEC control over the voters roll. This was done with a purpose in mind, that in this time with social media can brew disaster hence mandating Zec to ensure the security of the electronic voters roll is secure,” said Justice Katiyo.

Mahere revealed the opposition party’s concerns about the operations and rising influence  of shadowy organisations in the electoral processes.

“We also have a problem with Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) and Heritage Trust, the shady institutions being used by Mr Mnangagwa. The constitution provides for the CIO, who are these shady organisations? What is their mandate and where did they come from? We saw them frogmarching citizens to go and vote in Zanu PF primaries. They cannot be allowed to intimidate and harass citizens. This election should be free and everybody should vote in secret. Zec cannot bury their heads in the sand when those illegal processes are taking place,” she said.

CCC Deputy Secretary for Elections, Ellen Shiriyedenga said the party continues to call for an enforceable code of conduct for all parties involved in the political space. “It seems there are no punitive measures for such transgressions. Our MPs are pushing for that enforceable code of conduct in parliament.

The voter inspection process starts today across the country and ends on the 31st of May. Section 21 of the Electoral Act states that the voters roll is a public document and open to inspection by the public.