Free, fair polls a pipe dream: Veritas

LEGAL think-tank, Veritas says Zimbabwe still has a long way to go towards creating a legal environment that is conducive for free and fair elections.

Veritas sounded the alarm bells in its latest election watch report, where it called for immediate amendment of the Public Order and Security Act (Posa), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa), the Criminal, Law (Codification and Reform Act), the Interception of Communications Act, Censorship and Entertainments Control Act, Independent Complaints Mechanism for Security Services, as well as codes of conduct for political parties to create a conducive environment for free and fair elections.

“The Electoral Act, however, is not the only statute that needs amendment if next year’s elections are to be free, fair and peaceful as required by section 155 of the Constitution,” Veritas said.

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