The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission {ZEC} last Friday said political parties should report crimes committed during election campaigns to the Zimbabwe Republic Police {ZRP} and shy away from blaming ZEC on every grievance they encounter during election campaigns.
In a recent statement, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere had said the opposition party was taking legal action against Zec to force the electoral management body to be accountable and ensure credibility of future polls.
Referring to section 156 of the Constitution, CCC recent statement also said: “In terms of this provision, Zec has an obligation to ensure that appropriate systems and mechanisms are put in place to eliminate electoral violence, electoral malpractices and ensure the safekeeping of electoral materials.”
But addressing journalists at a ZEC workshop held in Harare on Friday, ZEC Director of Legal Services, Mrs. Shamiso Chahuruva said ZEC is not the only body that addresses political grievances during elections.
She said political parties should also consult other bodies when they encounter problems.
“People think that elections are for ZEC so when violence happen they think ZEC must be held accountable. I say no. There are other law enforcement agencies like ZRP and Human Rights Associations who can deal with those issues,” said Chahuruva.
During the workshop, Chahuruva also educated journalists on the number of days constitutionally required for ZEC to announce the presidential results.
She urged journalists to desist from announcing fake results during the election period.
“People think presidential results should be announced in just 2 hours. The constitution says the results should be announced no later than 5days so if ZEC doesn’t surpass 5 days in the announcement of elections there is no need for the public to say ZEC has delayed the announcement.
“The media have a degree to safeguard the credibility of the elections processes. It’s an offense for the media to publish the elections that have not yet been published by ZEC,” she said.
Zimbabwe will hold general elections next year.
