The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has welcomed the appointment of six new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioners.
The six ZEC commissioners took the oath of office before President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday at State House in Harare.
In a statement, ERC challenged the new commissioners to ensure that ZEC fulfils its mandate, that is, to conduct elections efficiently, freely, and transparently. The statement reads:
The Election Resource Centre (ERC) welcomes the appointment of Catherine Mpofu, Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, Jane Mbetu Nzvenga, Kudzai Shava, Rosewita Murutare and Shepard Manhivi as Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioners.
The six are replacing commissioners whose term of office came to an end on July 6, 2022.
In light of this, the ERC encourages the commissioners to conduct their duties in a non-partisan and independent manner as stipulated by the Constitution and in line with their oath of office.
In an environment marred by a ZEC credibility crisis, the ERC reminds the newly-appointed commissioners that their mandate is to ensure that elections are conducted efficiently, freely, transparently and in accordance with Constitution, regional and international principles binding free and fair elections.
However, the opposition CCC has raised concern over ZEC’s impartiality following the appointment of Abigail Millicent Mohadi Ambrose.
Not only is she the daughter of ZANU PF’s second secretary, Kembo Mohadi and his former wife Tambudzani, a ZANU PF senator, but she struggled to answer job interview questions when she appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.