Zec must be well-resourced

IN light of the 2021 National Budget announced by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube on November 26 the Election Resource Centre ( ERC) calls on Ncube and Parliament to ensure adequate resources are availed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

Adequate budgeting for Zec is essential, taking into account the impending by-elections, the delimitation processes and the 2023 harmonised elections. Comprehensive voter education, registration and election administration are key pillars of democracy and adequate resources must be availed to ensure Zec is able to fulfil its constitutional mandate.

Zec was established to conduct elections democratically and efficiently as the commission plays a crucial function as the administrator of elections, ensuring universal suffrage and is guarantor of electoral integrity and political legitimacy. Insufficient funding of Zec will result in inadequate preparedness and will reduce the quality of the by-elections, delimitation exercise and other electoral activities.

In the past, funds have been disbursed late resulting in last minute preparation and execution of electoral processes culminating in elections that do not adhere to international best practice.

Delimitation is one of the most important electoral processes as we head towards the 2023 elections and has a direct impact on the quality of the elections in terms of universal suffrage and representation.

Over the years, the commission’s funding has not been adequate and in tandem with the electoral activities which has led to insufficient continuous voter registration and inadequate voter education.

The budgetary inadequacies and the commission’s financial vulnerabilities have been shielded by the constant support offered by international developmental partners and local civil society organisations supporting other activities like mobilisation and awareness.

However, adequate reserves must be availed to the commission to ensure effective administration is carried out.