ZANU PF legislators showered the embattled Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) with praises for conducting free and fair elections in August last year despite claims by the opposition that the election management body favoured the ruling party.
The legislators were debating the Zec report on the August 2023 harmonised elections whose conduct and outcome was widely condemned by election observers missions from Sadc, African Union, European Union and the Carter Center.
Mberengwa South MP Tafanana Zhou commended Zec for conducting free and fair elections.
“I would like to congratulate Zec for a job well done before the elections when they dealt with the issue of the delimitation commission. They did very well in delimitation of the constituencies.
“I would once again like to congratulate them on a job well done when they allowed observers into our country during the general elections. They allowed several observers from different countries who came to observe the elections.
“Indeed, the elections were conducted well and they were very transparent. We would also like to thank them for a timely production of their report which was done a short time just after the completion of the elections.”
He also applauded Zec for conducting elections in a peaceful manner.
Goromonzi West legislator Biatha Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga said Zec held the key to the public and international perception of free, fair and credible elections.
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“Whatever challenges were later encountered, they had nothing to do with lack of timeous funding, but only the work ethics and competencies of Zec and other factors beyond Zec’s control. The 2023 harmonised elections were characterised by peace, before, during and after elections.
“I commend the people of Zimbabwe for that and Zec for laying that foundation, where generally the public awareness and access to materials was transparent, hence the confidence and trust in the process,” she said.
Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga also commended Zec for conducting voter education while creating information platforms and activities that were in line with international best practices.
“The voter education was balanced, gender and culture sensitive. The use of social media allowed for the timeous flexibility to respond and counter fake news while the public participated in the dissemination of information and education,” she said.
Masvingo Central legislator Edson Zvogbo Jr said the logistical and administrative challenges experienced in the preparation and execution of the general election were many and varied but Zec overcame them.
“Many people will consider the elections as the actual two days of voting that took place and forget all the necessary preparations and procedures that had to come before that, beginning with voter registration and the delimitation of the constituencies, hence proceeding to voter education in the 16 languages recognised by the Constitution and then to the acceptance of nominations,” he said.
Proportional representative lawmaker Elizabeth Masuku said: “While the 2023 harmonised elections encountered challenges, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s adept navigation of sure hurdles is a testimony of its unwavering dedication to conducting fair and transparent elections here in Zimbabwe.”
She said Zec had done a wonderful job in discharging its mandate for the 2023 harmonised elections.
“Zec is mandated to carry out a delimitation exercise and in 2023, Zec carried out a double mandate in terms of carrying out [the] delimitation [exercise] and running the election,” Masuku said.
“I would also like to congratulate Zec on the conduct of a flawless election. The elections were held under very peaceful conditions and people were able to decide freely which party or candidate to vote for because of the enabling environment.”
