Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has reiterated his call for what he calls a Pre-Elections Pact on Reforms (PREPARE) to ensure that the 2023 general elections are held in a peaceful environment that will produce an uncontested outcome.
Chamisa said that Zimbabwe should break the cycle of disputed elections by implementing genuine reforms that create an environment for free and fair polls. He said:
There are no genuine reforms in the Zpf/government proposed electoral reforms by cabinet.
A pre-election pact on reforms by all parties, civil society, and stakeholders is key.
Any unilateral political decision will produce a disputed and discredited national leadership.
In October this year, Cabinet approved the Electoral Amendment Bill which seeks to incorporate 30 percent of women in local authorities and introduce a youth quota system in the National Assembly.
Announcing the development while delivering the 29th post Cabinet briefing in Harare last month, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa:
In terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe, one has to be a citizen in order to qualify as a voter.
Accordingly, only a valid Passport or National Identity Card will be required as proof of identity.
… Once the Electoral Amendment Bill; 2022 is enacted into law, it will assist in ensuring that only citizens are able to vote in an election; that proper candidates are allowed to contest in an election; providing clarity on when and how a candidate can withdraw their candidature in an election so as to afford ZEC sufficient time to make changes to the design of the ballot; and advising the electorate of any changes to the candidature in an election.