ERC condemns violence
By-elections sites have become a hotspot for violence, intimidation and criminal activities from political party supporters of late. The Election Resource Centre (ERC) notes with concern violence experienced in by-election sites as the country gears up for the 2023 Harmonized elections.
Political party leaders and followers are urged by the ERC to accept opposing viewpoints and to remember that politics in Zimbabwe is about dissenting opinions. Furthermore, ERC calls on responsible bodies to investigate and prosecute the instigators of violence without fear or favour.
ERC is extremely concerned that the current electoral environment in the wards where by-elections are scheduled, particularly Matopo Ward 2, does not support the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election. With each subsequent by-election, the pattern and use of violence has intensified.
ERC categorically condemns the use of force, coercive measures and physical violence no matter the circumstances. Peaceful elections are possible and political leaders must publicly condemn the violence and publicly pledge to bring violent supporters to order as a matter of urgency.
Additionally, the violence committed against women who were stripped of their clothes and left partially naked is abhorrent, inhuman and intolerable. There is no place for violence and intimidation particularly against women in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Committee, the African Union and the international community at large. Zimbabwe is also a signatory of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) which stipulates in Article 8 that State Parties shall eliminate all forms of discrimination, especially those based on political opinion, gender, ethnic, religious and racial grounds as well as any other form of intolerance.
Therefore, the government must ensure that all political parties are allowed to freely campaign throughout the country.
In order to ensure a fair contest, restoration of sanity, respect for human rights as enshrined in the national constitution and restoration of peace, comfort and stability, ERC proffers the following recommendations:
- The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) must activate its human rights monitoring ahead of the 2023 Harmonised elections
- The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) must facilitate the peaceful co-existence of political parties as they campaign to ensure a level playing field.
- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) must investigate and arrest perpetrators of violence without fear or favor.
- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proactively act in terms of their constitutional functions to ensure free and fair elections.
Issued by ERC
