Citizens must choose parties of choice

ZIMBABWE, like many other country, has been holding elections since independence. This to some extent demonstrates commitment to conforming to the principles of democracy and good governance.

The tenets of democracy provides that an election should ensure the rights of citizens to willingly and fully participate in the electoral process within a free, fair and credible environment. Critics of Zimbabwe both locally and internationally highlight that we are a country that is always in election mode.

This results in the relegation of the core functions of government of facilitating development and ensuring progressive realisation of fundamental citizens’ rights. Distribution of factors of production, food handouts, empowerment programmes have been alleged to have been executed on party lines instead of on principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. This is believed to have compromised the credibility of our electoral processes.

Zimbabwe holds elections after every five years and the current regime of elections are harmonised. The last harmonised elections were held in 2018. These were generally regarded as peaceful, but some irregularities were highlighted.

Traditionally, elections have been one of the major drivers of conflict and violence. Several initiatives were taken by civil society organisations and other stakeholders to lobby and influence for the process to be violent free.

Various stakeholders have critical and unique roles to play in the electoral process. Participating political parties should field candidates and campaign for them, at the same time restraining their supporters from engaging in violent activities.

Citizens’ role is to vote for their preferred candidates as well as ensuring that they do not violate the freedoms and rights for others.

The media must be responsible in reporting on the election and informing the electorate about the election.

Nango