Professor Lovemore Madhuku (left) and Dr Francis Danha during a press conference in Harare
By Donald Chakamanga
The Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) has condemned the preliminary delimitation report tabled by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) saying the report does not pass the test set out in the Supreme Law.
Speaking to the media in Harare, Professor Lovemore Madhuku said POLAD regards the report as a failure on the part of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
“The Preliminary Delimitation Report does not pass the test set out in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The views and concerns expressed by the Ad hoc committee of Parliament in respect of the Preliminary Delimitation Report are eminently sensible and in accordance with our Constitution, ” he said.
In addition, he said POLAD is very much concerned about the internal governance of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). He added that under the Constitution, ZEC is a corporate body consisting of nine commissioners and no circumstances may ZEC operate or purport to operate without the collective position of all the commissioners.
“The delimitation process cannot be the work of one or two Commissioners: there must be clear evidence that all commissioners are involved at every stage of the delimitation process. This is essential for the integrity and credibility of ZEC,” said Professor Madhuku.
He added that POLAD would like to see public appearances of ZEC Commissioners at all platforms and urged ZEC to use all the remaining stages to demonstrate, in public, the involvement of all commissioners.
At the other hand, the Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee report on Delimitation said ZEC did not use census data correctly to draw the electoral boundaries. The committee mentioned that ZEC only considered the adult population instead of the entire population.
Furthermore, the Committee underscored that ZEC did not consult stakeholders and did not comply with section 37(a) of the Electoral Act especially traditional leaders.
On Monday, President Mnangagwa referred back the preliminary delimitation report to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission who is expected to submit a final report by February 26.
The President must then publish a proclamation in the Gazette declaring the names and boundaries of the wards and constituencies as finally determined by the Commission within fourteen days after receiving the report.
