THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has suspended all
electoral activities in a move analysts described as a way of aiding Thokozani
Khupe’s MDC-T to appoint its legislators without going through by-elections
where they are likely to face a humiliating defeat to Nelson Chamisa’s MDC
Alliance.
The suspension of electoral activities citing COVID-19
regulations came after Khupe has recalled four MDC Alliance MPs following a
Supreme Court ruling declaring her the acting leader of the MDC-T.
In a statement yesterday, Zec chief elections officer Utoile
Silaigwana said the suspension of elections was done in accordance with the
COVID-19 measures announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to curb the spread
of the pandemic.
“Following the suspension of all electoral activities by
Zec in response to measures announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to curb
the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent review of the level one
lockdown to level two, the commission will conduct activities that do not
violate lockdown measures using skeletal staff,” Silaigwana said.
He further said this was in line with a COVID-19 electoral
practice policy that is being finalised by the commission, whose finer details
will be announced soon.
Silaigwana said the commission was also working on the
policy that would guide electoral staff, the electorate and other stakeholders
on how to conduct themselves before, during and after electoral processes to
prevent health risks.
He also disclosed that they were working on an electoral
policy that would consider filling vacant constituencies with party nominees
according to proportional representation.
“We could not continue having gatherings of people and we
cannot do elections remotely, so we are looking at policy changes to
accommodate post-filling just like what is done on proportional representations
and senatorial positions,” Silaigwana said.
“As you are aware, the proclamation by the President to
combat the spread of the virus (is in place), we don’t play politics.
“The elections are suspended due to the spread of COVID-19
and this is in the interests of safety of all stakeholders. But MDC Alliance
vice-chairperson Job Sikhala said they would monitor the events and see how the
issue of appointments would be supported by the Constitution.
“It is not supported by the Constitution or sustainable in
a democracy. In the circumstances of COVID-19, it could not be sustained in the
aftermath of the pandemic. We will monitor the events and see where it will
end,” Sikhala said.
Former Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi once
hinted that parliamentary by-elections to replace MDC Alliance MPs who were
expelled from Parliament last month would be scrapped to accommodate MDC-T
nominees. Newsday
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