Zanu PF monopolisation of power now entrenched
Mr Editor, I don’t comprehend the brouhaha generated by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) delimitation process.
I am not saying that Zec was right or that the parliamentary committee responsible for scrutinising the report was right or wrong.
I want to factor into the delimitation equation another factor which I think is overlooked by politicians in particular Section 161 (2) disqualifies the new boundaries as inapplicable to the election in the event that the delimitation process breached the six months time limit.
It’s not possible, under any given set of circumstances that all the Zec constituencies in the country would or could warrant changes as to cause abandonment of an election countrywide.
If my understanding is based on my own interpretation as a lay person, the constitution says that the boundaries (or even a boundary) so delimited do (does) not apply to that election, and instead the boundaries (boundary) that existed immediately before the delimitation are (is) applicable.
Now, it is in my opinion taken or assumed that only the affected boundaries/boundary would stand disqualified in that election.
Therefore, where is the fear as we hear from certain quarters that the election might be in jeopardy?
This is an ambiguous term on its own. The constitution imposes on us free, fair and regular (five yearly) elections and any violations of this value is unconstitutional and a usurpation of power and a flagrant abuse of office.
Justice Priscilla Chigumba as chair of Zec stands indicted if we go by how Zec handled the Chegutu West constituency result in the 2013 harmonised election which saw Dexter Nduna refusing literally, to accept defeat and the opposition failing to dislodge him from parliament, thus displaying for all to see its incapacity to deal with such delicate and critical matters when it matters the most.
This wishy-washy performance by the opposition does not inspire confidence.
The manner in which Zanu PF went about grabbing the Chegutu West seat from MDC Alliance was as if without this seat the party would lose its majority in parliament.
Instead Zanu PF showed the extent to which the aggrandisation and monopolisation of power has become entrenched and omnipresent in its very existence even if it means corrupting the judiciary.
Martin Stobart