Reform electoral laws: ERC
Grace Moyo
The election Resource Centre (ERC) has challenged the new Parliament members to pursue electoral reforms which can produce free, fair and credible polls in future.
The call comes in the aftermath of a highly disputed 2023 Harmonised election.
In a statement, ERC elections consultant Taona Mwanyisa said elector laws in Zimbabwe are at odds with international and regional standards governing the conduct of elections.
He decried that laws have not been aligned with the 2013 Constitution.
“If nothing is done to reform the electoral framework, the country is most likely to go to the 2028 harmonised elections with a miscued electoral framework that does not allow for equal participation in electoral processes by its citizens, as witnessed in the 2023 harmonised elections,” said Mwanyisa.
Mwanyisa, however expressed hope that the newly elected young people in parliament could help steer reforms despite the current tension in the country.
“The events of the past harmonised elections have presented the newly-sworn in MPs with an opportunity to continue pushing for reforms that level the electoral playing field.
The current political context offers real possibilities for deeper electoral reforms that can help consolidate democratic rule. The election has provided an opportunity to advance the democratic process in the country, but this can only happen if meaningful changes are made to the electoral landscape.
The members of the 10th Parliament have an opportunity to legitimise their wins in future elections by ensuring a level playing field in the electoral architecture of the country,” said Mwanyisa.
He added: “The focus on reform should now be on essential reforms that improve political representation, political legitimacy and political inclusion and this includes reviewing all legislation that has a bearing on the political and electoral environment and in turn on the electoral process and results thereof.
“One such important reform is to extend the franchise and the right to vote to all citizens of Zimbabwe, regardless of where they are domiciled in the world. This would be a prudent step towards electoral inclusion, and to this end, laws that allow for diaspora voting must be enacted.”
Mwanyisa stressed the importance of a non-partisan electoral management body that is guided by the law. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is under fire from the opposition under other election stakeholders for its alleged bias towards the ruling party.
“Laws must be enacted that compel ZEC to follow set guidelines in delimiting electoral boundaries. The Electoral Act must be amended to strengthen the provisions on transparency and consultation in the delimitation process.”
