By Shongedzai Mugwagwa
The European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) have heaped praises on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for an all inclusive and positive 2020-2024 Strategic Plan which has been today in Harare.
Addressing delegates at a well attended conference at Rainbow Towers Hotel, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Maria Ribeiro, applauded ZEC for producing a strategic document that earmarked the implementation of Electoral Reforms as recommended by Observer Missions in the July 2018 Harmonised elections.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend ZEC for producing this strategic document which is in synchronicity with recommendations of different stakeholders.
“Electoral Reforms are a commendable gesture and l have noted improvements already exhibited in the just ended by-elections taking cue from recommendations put forward by various observer missions in the July 2018 elections,” said Ribeiro.
Ms Ribeiro took the opportunity to assure the UN’s commitment to the people of Zimbabwe to continue working with ZEC towards improving the electoral process of the country.
The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Timo Olkonen, reiterated the UN sentiments, applauding ZEC for implementing most of the EU recommendations in their strategic 5 year plan.
He said that the EU Observer Mission gave 23 recommendations to ZEC and six were designated as top priority.
He noted that ZEC had included most of the recommendations given and also addressed the priority ones.
“I am pleased and very happy that today we witness one of the most important steps taken by ZEC towards the path of electoral reforms,” he said.
The event displayed a level of political tolerance and inclusivity as all political parties represented in Parliament were present.
Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who presided over the conference, commended ZEC for launching their strategic plan which he said demonstrated a bold willingness of ZEC to usher democracy in the discharge of duties.
He further challenged ZEC staff that they should not end by launching this document but rather go on and implement it as it displays a level of transparency required of ZEC.
He urged political parties to cultivate a culture of tolerance and shun violence and should respect the rule of law.
His sentiments were echoed by ZEC chairperson, Priscilla Chigumba who urged political parties to shun violence and abide by the law.
“This strategic document is based on experiences we had; moments of tears, joys and smiles and consultations drawn from engagements with different stakeholders both regional and international.
“As ZEC, we are open to constructive criticism and when you come to us guns blazing, we introspect and come up with what is the right thing.
“If we are committed to democracy, we must abide by the law, respect results passed, reject violence, respect freedom of speech, respect the laws of the land and other people’s rights,” said Chigumba.
