Staff Writer
Election watchdogs — Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) — have raised flag on traditional chiefs’ using their influence to campaign for political parties and candidates ahead of March 26 by-elections.
In a joint statement issued on the just ended Biometric Voter Registration Blitz by Zimbabwe Election Commission, the watchdogs discovered some traditional chiefs and village heads were disregarding the constitution.
According to section 281 of the Constitution traditional leaders should not engage in partisan politics.
“However, 123 observer reports indicated instances where traditional leaders (chiefs and village heads) or religious leaders used their influence to campaign for political parties and candidates especially in the areas that will be conducted by elections on 26 March 2022.
“Similarly, the Constitution of Zimbabwe, section 200 (3) stipulates that “No member of the Civil Service may, in the exercise of their functions— (a) act in a partisan manner; (b) further the interests of any political party or cause,” the report said.
ERC and ZESN observers also reported a number of instances of having heard of or witnessed instances where non-elected government officials, such as civil servants, used their influence to support a particular party or candidate while four percent (4%) reported on the presence of these non-elected officials in political party events.
“Other Political incidents During the Phase 1 of the BVR blitz, the environment was characterised by high political tensions with reports of instances of violence, destruction of property and other disturbances. Many of these issues were centralised in the constituencies that will be holding by-elections on 26 March.
“Some incidents were widely known including when a LEAD Zimbabwe campaign rally was disrupted at Domborembizi in Epworth on 26 February 2022 and a formal report was launched with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“Similarly observers reported inter party (CCC, MDC-A and ZANU PF) pulling down and tearing of campaign posters in Epworth, Harare Central, Mufakose and Highfield East constituencies,” the statement reads.
While political Parties and traditional Leaders and Civil Servants Political parties are key stakeholders in the electoral processes, the ERC and ZESN observers reported that the parties were involved in the mobilisation of potential registrants to go out and observe.
236 observer reports indicated that ZANU PF were mobilising people to go out and vote, 216 indicated activities by CCC and 99 indicated activities by MDC-T (MDC-A)
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