By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Government has been using Covid-19 pandemic as the basis for failure to comply with the electoral Law, an Electoral Reforms Tracking Report by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said.
According to the report by the think tank on promoting democratic elections in Zimbabwe (ZESN), it appeared apparent that some gatherings have been taking place throughout the lockdown, raising questions about the sincerity of the authorities.
“This report tracks developments in the electoral field within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected all countries globally.
“While some countries have adapted to conducting activities under the pandemic, Zimbabwe has been selective. Consequent to the pandemic, by-elections due have not been held as per the constitutional dictates.”
For instance, President Mnangagwa has been holding rallies as well as other ribbon cutting events such as the commissioning of the famous bridge in Mt Darwin while Zanu PF has restructured practically from Cells to District Coordinating Committees and now the party is at the provincial election.
Other examples which are well documented including Zanu PF candidates mobilizing party members ahead of election while First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been out and about across the country doing her work.
Oddly enough, opposition officials in the likes of Netsai Marowa who have tried to do the same were arrested for violating Covid-19 regulations.
The tracking report covers the period January to July 2021.
It seeks to highlight developments in the electoral environment whether positive or negative, that have occurred during the period under consideration.
“This report takes a thematic approach to the issues covered— the legal developments, women’s political participation, youth and media issues,” the report said.
Following the harmonized 2018 polls, the ZESN compiled a Compendium of recommendation from the different Election Observer Missions (EOMS) that observed those elections.
It therefore lodged a parliamentary petition that was duly embraced and considered by the Parliament of Zimbabwe (POZ).
The petition sought to implore POZ to address a number of administrative, legal and political reforms areas in the electoral landscape of Zimbabwe from the pre-election through the election to the post-election period.
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