By Revesai Mavetera
In a scathing critique of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), exiled ZANU PF member Professor Jonathan Moyo has expressed his concerns regarding the recent voter roll inspection and the announcement of the general election date. Moyo highlighted several issues that he believes could significantly impact the credibility and fairness of the upcoming elections.
The election proclamation, gazetted on May 23rd, 2023, fixing the date for the harmonized general election on August 23rd, has raised doubts about the transparency of the process. Moyo pointed out that this election might be unlike any other before, as both the mainstream media and ZEC itself appear to be incapacitated.
Moyo emphasized the internal divisions within ZEC, particularly stemming from the disputed delimitation exercise. He noted that seven Commissioners disassociated themselves from the exercise, with some even challenging it in court. These divisions, according to Moyo, have not been adequately addressed, and ZEC’s functioning as a corporate entity is questionable.
Furthermore, Moyo highlighted the prolonged absence of ZEC’s Chief Elections Officer, Mr Utoile Silaigwana, due to reported health issues. This conspicuous display of incapacitation within the electoral body raises concerns about its ability to administer the electoral process properly in accordance with the law.
The ongoing voter registration inspection, which began on May 27th, faced numerous challenges. In a statement issued by ZEC, the commission acknowledged “logistical and unforeseen challenges” that caused delays in the operation of some voter roll inspection centers. As a result, the inspection period had to be extended until June 1st.
Moyo expressed skepticism about the readiness of ZEC to conduct the forthcoming general election smoothly. He argued that the institutional, organizational, and technical preparedness of the electoral body should be the foremost priority. However, the extension of the inspection period suggests a lack of readiness and raises concerns about the accuracy and adequacy of the final voters roll.
The professor pointed out that the cutoff date for voter registration for the upcoming election is June 2nd, only one day after the conclusion of the ongoing inspection of the provisional voters roll. This raises doubts about the adequacy and auditing of the final voters roll, which is crucial for a free, fair, and transparent election.
Moyo argued that without a credible and audited voters roll, an election cannot be considered fair, transparent, or conducted in accordance with the law. He emphasized the importance of voters themselves being able to identify and report anomalies in the roll before the general election.
In light of these concerns, Moyo called on ZEC to provide voters with at least a five-day window to inspect the final voters roll after June 2nd and before the Nomination Courts sit on June 21st. Failing to do so, he warned, would undermine the credibility of the 2023 harmonized general election and erode the confidence of the electorate.
Moyo concluded by stressing that a credible voters roll, properly audited by the voters themselves, is indispensable for a free and fair election in a constitutional democracy. He urged ZEC to overcome its incapacitation and seize the remaining opportunity to restore trust in the electoral process ahead of the August 23rd election.
