by Political reporter
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has received US$10 million grant from unnamed benefactors meant to map out an election programme ahead of the 2023 elections.
This was revealed by the University of Johannesburg PhD student, Tamuka Chirimambwa at a two-day workshop organised by NDI in Harare, last week. Chirimambwa was hired by NDI Country Director, Arnold Tsunga to present a lecture to representatives of over 30 Civic Society Organisations.
He revealed that NDI’s election programme for 2023 would be anchored on influencing grassroots activism and pushing for electoral as well as security sector reforms. He said the US$10 million grant would be used to fund 90 to 100 CSOs that would be involved in influencing grassroots activism especially in the rural areas.
The NDI election programme coincides with the MDC-Alliance’s ambitious mobilisation strategy, #1 Million Voter Registration Campaign, where the party seeks to enlist one million first time voters. The campaign has been used as vehicle to penetrate traditional ZANU PF strongholds, the rural areas, although it has proved to be daunting task for the flagging party.
Chirimambwa said NDI was already receiving proposals from CSOs who intent to implement the programme. He added that the institute would assess the funding proposals with those that target the rural areas standing greater chances of getting the funds. He, however, emphasised on transparency saying CSOs in Zimbabwe have become infamous for embezzling donor funds.
NDI is going to consider proposals that will target voter registration mobilisation, especially those targeting first time voters, training of elections observers, constituency awareness programmes as well as those that will push for electoral and security sector reforms, revealed Chirimambwa.
NDI has so far conducted similar workshops with 20 CSOs in Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces.
Political analyst, Benjamin Mombeshora said the programme was a ploy to pave way for the MDC-Alliance’s penetration into the rural areas where ZANU PF dominates. He, however, said the ruling party had entrenched itself in the rural areas through its people-oriented programmes like Pfumvudza and machinations by the oppositions and their handlers will come to naught.
