By A Correspondent
In a scathing report released yesterday, the United States based Carter Centre has urged the Zimbabwean government to undertake comprehensive reforms including amending the Electoral Act in order to give the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission more autonomy.
The report was released after the group observed the 23 August 2023 harmonised elections in Zimbabwe.
As part of their recommendations, Carter Centre call for the dismantling of repressive provisions within existing laws, such as the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act and the Patriotic Act, as well as the Private Voluntary Organisations legislation.
The Carter Centre stressed the importance of these changes to facilitate full citizen participation in public affairs while upholding fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Zimbabwe Constitution and in alignment with regional and international human rights commitments.
“The removal of repressive legal provisions is imperative to cultivate an environment where citizens can freely exercise their rights of assembly, association, speech, and press,” stated the Carter Centre report.
Additionally, the report calls for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act to ensure its alignment with the 2023 constitution and international standards adopted by Zimbabwe. The Centre emphasizes the need for this reform process to take place well in advance of the next election period, urging an inclusive and transparent consultation process.
“The electoral framework must evolve to reflect the democratic aspirations of the nation, aligning with the constitution and international norms,” the report declares.
The Carter Centre also called for amendments to the Electoral Act to enhance the autonomy of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
It recommended acknowledging the ZEC’s constitutional mandate through administrative and regulatory measures, eliminating the need for approval from the Ministry of Justice.
“The autonomy of the ZEC is paramount in ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process. Administrative and regulatory measures should be implemented promptly to empower the Commission to fulfill its constitutional duties independently,” the report states.
The report further emphasized the importance of addressing public concerns about the impartiality and inclusivity of the ZEC’s appointment mechanisms, advocating for mechanisms to enhance public confidence.
This includes the publication of presiding officers’ names in the official gazette and the introduction of clear selection criteria before recruitment.
“To restore public trust, the ZEC must adopt transparent appointment mechanisms and provide clear selection criteria for election officials. This is crucial for fostering an environment where citizens have confidence in the electoral process,” the Carter Centre report asserts.
In response to concerns about the misuse of state resources and the advantage of incumbency, the Carter Centre recommended introducing provisions to curb these practices and promote a level playing field.
“The misuse of state resources and the advantage of incumbency undermine the fairness of elections. Introducing provisions and taking swift action against any violations is essential to promoting a democratic electoral process,” the report continues.
The 2023 harmonised elections were condemned by all election observer groups including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) among others.
