Regional Elections Commissions body calls for ZEC’s deep legal reforms

By Staff Writer

The Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC) have urged the Zimbabwe Elections Commission (ZEC) to institute deep legal reforms in order to avoid the continued spillover of repetitive problems.

The independent organization body comprising of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the SADC member States namely Electoral Commissions of; Angola, Botswana, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe called for reforms.

“These include but are not limited to increase the inspection period of the voters roll and make the roll available at polling stations ahead of polling day, determine a set period for the conclusion of appeals processes from the nomination of candidates especially for the local authority elections.

“The ZEC should strive to improve the implementation of its communications strategy, to foster transparency, accountability and facilitate public trust in the Commission,” the preliminary report said in part.

The organ said the ZEC should address the issues related to selective accreditation of observers, and the dual accreditation of media practitioners.

It was also observed the delimitation process should be conducted in a timelier manner, in order to ensure that it does not negatively impact the preparation for the electoral process.

“Furthermore, ZEC should make the process more consultative and open to public participation. The ZEC should provide clear regular updates to the electorate and stakeholders during polling day, and in the period up the announcement of results,” the report added.