By Almot Maqolo.
HARARE (News of The South) – Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) suggests that electoral processes be continued under strict conditions in line with Covid-19 transmission prevention measures so that vacancies in parliament and local authorities be occupied.
Covid-19 has affected the normal course of events globally.
Electoral processes have been rescheduled or postponed indefinitely in some countries while they have proceeded as planned in other countries. In Zimbabwe today, indications are that electoral processes that do not require gatherings could continue.
“There are vacancies in the national assembly and in local authorities and it is still unclear if by-elections will be held to fill them. ZESN proposes that electoral processes continue under stringent conditions in line with Covid-19 transmission prevention measures,” it said.
For a start, the election watchdog, said innovative ways of working around the electoral cycle with minimum face to face interactions should be piloted.
“ZEC should engage key electoral stakeholders to solicit views and enhance on issues of trust, confidence building among other key administrative reforms.”
ZESN added that: “Policies should be formulated to guide all electoral stakeholders and the ZEC in conducting electoral and interfacing with electoral processes in the safest possible way during Covid era.”
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