Statement regarding Herald article

STATEMENT REGARDING REPORT IN HERALD THAT THE ELECTORAL ACT SHOULD BE CHANGED BY MEANS OF PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

The Herald this morning makes an astonishing claim, namely that Professor Lovemore Madhuku has advocated that the current law allowing prospective voters and candidates to register up to 24 hours prior to nomination court be abolished and that “the only people that could be prejudiced were those who wanted to contest as candidates and were not registered”. It goes on to say that he recommends that Presidential Powers be used to effect these changes and that Parliament be bypassed.

If this is an accurate report it is almost beyond belief that a lawyer who also heads the National Constitutional Assembly could advocate for such a fundamental deviation from such a basic right – namely the right enshrined in section 67(3)(b) of the new Constitution which states that “every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to stand for election for public office and, if elected, to hold such office”.

Furthermore the Herald reports that Professor Madhuku argues that no one wanting to stand will be prejudiced (if the people register after nomination day) because one has to be at least 21 to stand for election. If this is correct his assumption must be that the only people seeking to be registered for the first time now are those who have recently turned 18 and are still under 21. If this is so he has ignored the provisions of section 43 which allows tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who were viewed as aliens (because their parents came from SADC countries) to become citizens, to register and to stand for election if they choose. This line of argument also ignores the fact that the process of voter registration is not uniform and some Wards will only be reached after the nomination day has been held. For example in the Ward I live in (Ward 4 in Bulawayo) the mobile voter teams will only arrive on the 2nd July 2013 for the first time, ie after nomination day which according to the 31st July timeframe must be held by not later than the 1st July (in terms of section 157(3) of the Constitution the nomination day has to be at least 30 days prior to the election day). So everyone who wants to be registered and stand for election in Ward 4 will just have to reconcile themselves to the fact that they can’t exercise their constitutional right to stand for election! This is simply ludicrous.

The Herald also states that Professor Madhuku advocates that President Mugabe should use Presidential Powers to pass new Electoral legislation instead of letting Parliament pass legislation changing the provision mentioned above which allows voters to register up to 24 hours prior to nomination day. Aside from that being an incredibly retrogressive step which will effectively deny thousands their fundamental rights in terms of section 67 of the Constitution, it is also the height of hypocrisy for anyone to suggest that the President should use these powers now. The entire case brought before the Constitutional Court was premised on the argument that one should not allow a further 4 months of executive rule because that would be undemocratic. Now it appears that some of those who supported this notion are advocating the very same thing – namely the exercise of Presidential executive powers! However it is even worse in that it is suggested that these be used now when Parliament is still in session.

I know that the Herald can misquote and to that extent I want to give Professor Lovemore Madhuku the benefit of the doubt. If he has been misquoted I think he needs to say so urgently.

Last week I wrote about this debate becoming more and more farcical – but if this report is correct this debate could not get more farcical. I wonder just how far people are prepared to go to fit the election within this fundamentally unconstitutional and unlawful time frame?

As much as we all desperately need an election as soon as possible to bring this nonsense to an end it remains critically important that we comply with the Constitution. Some people seem to be so desperate to have an election by the 31st July that they are prepared to overlook or disregard fundamental rights in the Constitution. That is unacceptable. Our nation needs a credible election in which the rights of all citizens are respected. Anything less will plunge Zimbabwe back into the illegitimacy of 2008 with all its attendant chaos.

Senator David Coltart,
Secretary for Legal Affairs
MDC

10th June 2013

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Mobile Voter Registration – Manicaland

MOBILE VOTER REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION CENTRES 2013

 

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to inform the public that the Mobile Voter Registration and Inspection exercise shall commence on the 10th of June 2013 and end on the 9th of July 2013.  The Registration and Inspection centres will open at 0700hrs to 1900hrs during working days and 0700hrs to 1700hrs during weekends.

Documents required for Registration and Inspection are as follows:-

Registration

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence (For those who cannot produce proof of residence, an affidavit is available at the Registration and Inspection  centre)

Inspection

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture)  or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport

Transfer

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence

Any queries can be directed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials who will be at the Registration and Inspection centres.  If the assistance given is not satisfactory, please contact ZEC District offices or

Provincial offices or ZEC Head Office on the following numbers:

Head Office :-(04) 770340 /759130/774095

E-mail : – inquiry@zec.org.zw

Listed below are the dates and mobile registration and inspection centres:

MANICALAND PROVINCE

 Buhera District

 Team 1

 Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

17                           i)              VhiririPrimary School                                                        10/06/13-13/06/13                            

 

18                           i)              MutautoPrimary School                                                   14/06/13-16/06/13

 

32                           i)              ChiurwiPrimary School                                                     17/06/13-19/06/13

 

20                           i)              BeteraiPrimary School                                                      20/06/13-22/06/13

 

23                           i)              ChirozvaPrimary School                                                   23/06/13-25/06/13

 

22                           i)              ZvomoyoPrimary School                                                 26/06/13-28/06/13

 

21                           i)              MukambirwaPrimary School                                           29/06/13-02/07/13

 

19                           i)              NdyarimaPrimary School                                                 03/07/13-06/07/13

 

16                           i)              NechavavaPrimary School                                              07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 2

 Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

4                              i)              NerutangaPrimary School                                                10/06/13- 12/06/13                           

 

2                              i)              St Joseph’s Mafuruse Primary School                           13/06/13-15/06/13

 

1                              i)              Mudzamiri Primary School                                               16/06/13- 19/06/13

 

3                              i)              GwebuPrimary School                                                       20/06/13- 23/06/13

 

5                              i)              MakumbePrimary School                                                 24/06/13-27/06/13

 

6                              i)              MamunyadzaSecondary  School                                   28/06/13-01/07/13

 

15                           i)              MadzivirePrimary School                                                 02/07/13-05/07/13

 

14                           i)              Murambinda ‘B’ Primary School                                     06/07/13-09/07/13

 

7                              i)              MomboyararaPrimary School                                         10/06/13-12/06/13

 

31                           i)              MugwenhiPrimary School                                                13/06/13-15/06/13

 

8                              i)              St Bernards’s Primary School                                           16/06/13-19/06/13

 

9                              i)              Dorowa Mine Hall                                                               20/06/13-23/06/13

 

10                           i)              HandePrimary School                                                       24/06/13-27/06/13

 

11                           i)              St AlbansPrimary School                                                  28/06/13-01/07/13

 

12                           i)              ChinhuwoPrimary School                                                 02/07/13-05/07/13

 

13                           i)              MasochaPrimary School                                                  07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

25                           i)              NgomayevisePrimary School                                           10/06/13-12/06/13

 

28                           i)              JoriPrimary School                                                             13/06/13-15/06/13

 

30                           i)              NechishanyePrimary School                                            16/06/13-19/06/13

 

33                           i)              KufakwatenziPrimary School                                          20/06/13-23/06/13

 

29                           i)              ChabataPrimary School                                                   24/06/13-29/06/13

 

27                           i)              MutiusinaSecondary School                                            01/07/13-03/07/13

 

26                           i)              MuchuwaPrimary School                                                 04/07/13-06/07/13

 

24                           i)              MatsakanurePrimary School                                           07/07/13-09/07/13

Chimanimani District

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date                      

 

23                           i)              DemeniPrimary  School                                                    10/06/13-11/06/13

 

ii)             Ndieme Primary School                                                     12/06/13-13/06/13

 

iii)            Machongwe Primary School                                            14/06/13-15/06/13

 

iv)           NdimaPrimary School                                                       16/06/13-17/06/13

21                           i)              NdakopaPrimary School                                                  18/06/13-19/06/13

 

ii)             Ndima Primary School                                                       20/06/13-21/06/13

21                           i)              VhimbaPrimary School                                                     22/06/13-23/06/13

 

ii)             Hlabiso Primary School                                                     24/06/13-25/06/13

 

iii)            Muchadziya Primary School                                            26/06/13-27/06/13

 

iv)           NdimaPrimary School                                                       28/06/13-29/06/13

 

21                           i)              HodePrimary School                                                         30/06/13-01/07/13

 

12                           i)              TarkaPrimary School                                                        02/07/13

 

ii)             TilburyPrimary School                                                      03/07/13

 

iii)            CharleswoodPrimary School                                           04/07/13

 

iv)           Dombera Farm                                                                    05/07/13

 

10                          i)              ChikukwaPrimary School                                                 06/07/13

 

11                           i)              HanganiPrimary School                                                    07/07/13-08/07/13

 

ii)             MartinPrimary School                                                       09/07/13

Team 2

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

16                           i)              MarywaterPrimary School                                               10/06/13- 11/06/13

 

ii)             Brightside Primary School                                              12/06/13-13/06/13

 

iii)            Dzikope Hall                                                                        14/06/13-15/06/13

 

iv)           RoscommonPrimary School                                            16/06/13

 

v)            NyabambaSecondary School                                          17/06/13

 

vi)           DzingirePrimary School                                                   18/06/13-19/06/13            

 

13                           i)              KwirirePrimary School                                                   20/06/13 – 21/06/13

 

ii)             Machongwe Clinic                                                              22/06/13

 

iii)            KushingaPrimary School                                                23/06/13

 

iv)           ManasePrimary School                                                     24/06/13

 

14                           i)              Westward  HOl                                                                     25/06/13

 

ii)             Fairfield Primary School                                               26/06/13-27/06/13

 

iii)            CambridgePrimary School                                           27/06/13

 

13                           i)              MarirwePrimary School                                                 28/06/13

 

14                           i)              ThorntonPrimary School                                               29/06/13

 

16                           i)              GwindingwePrimary School                                           30/06/13

 

19                           i)              MataaPrimary School                                                       01/07/13 – 02/07/13

 

16                           i)              Silverstream                                                                          03/07/13-04/07/13

 

ii)             HatfieldPrimary School                                                    05/07/13

 

iii)            TiyaPrimary School                                                           06/07/13

 

17                           i)              NyamusunduPrimary School                                           07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

19                           i)              ChikwakwaPrimary School                                              10/06/13

 

ii)             MakandwaPrimary School                                              11/06/13

 

iii)            NdapetwaPrimary School                                                 12/06/13

 

iv)           ChikwiziPrimary School                                                    13/06/13

 

18                           i)              MhakwePrimary School                                                   14/06/13

 

ii)             BiriwiriHospital                                                                   15/06/13

 

17                           i)              MuushaPrimary School                                                    16/06/13-17/06/13

 

ii)             Biriwiri Primary School                                                     18/06/13-19/06/13

 

9                              i)              TakaengwaPrimary School                                              20/06/13

 

ii)             ZimundaPrimary School                                                   21/06/13

 

6                              i)              ShinjiPrimary School                                                         22/06/13

 

ii)             Dokotoko Primary School                                                 23/06/13-24/06/13

 

iii)            ChayamitiPrimary School                                                25/06/13

 

7                              i)              MutsamvuPrimary School                                              26/06/13-27/06/13

 

ii)             BvumburuPrimary School                                                 28/06/13

 

iii)            BumbaPrimary School                                                      29/06/13

 

iv)           Quaggashoek Farm House                                                30/06/13

 

1                              i)              Ruwedza ‘B’ Primary School                                           01/07/13-02/07/13

 

ii)             TabunchuPrimary School                                                 03/07/13

 

4                              i)              GonzoniPrimary School                                                    04/07/13

 

ii)             Nhedziwa Sec. School                                                        05/07/13-06/07/13

 

15                           i)              NganguPrimary School                                                     07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

20                           i)              ChangadziPrimary School                                                   10/06/13

 

ii)             Tonhorai Primary School                                                   11/06/13-12/06/13

 

iii)            GudyangaPrimary School                                                  13/06/13

 

iv)           GudyangaSecondary School                                           14/06/13-15/06/13

 

8                              i)              PirikwePrimary School                                                      16/06/13-17/06/13

 

ii)             NyanyadziPrimary School                                               18/06/13

 

iii)            NyanyadziSecodarySchool                                             19/06/13

 

iv)           ChitinaPrimary School                                                      20/06/13-21/06/13

 

5                              i)              NenhowePrimary School                                                  22/06/13-23/06/13

 

ii)             NemarambaPrimary School                                            24/06/13

 

iii)            Hotsprings Primary School                                            25/06/13-26/06/13

 

iv)           ChaseyamaPrimary School                                             27/06/13-28/06/13

 

3                              i)              ChakohwaSecondary School                                          29/06/13

 

ii)             NechitimaPrimary School                                                 30/0/13

 

iii)            ChakohwaPrimary School                                                01/07/13

 

2                              i)              MashonjowaPrimary School                                           02/07/13-03/07/13

 

ii)             MhandarumePrimary School                                          04/0713

 

1                              i)              Nyambeya Primary School                                               05/07/13

 

ii)             Mutambara Central Primary School                           06/07/13-07/07/13

 

4                              i)              Chiramba Primary School                                                 08/07/13-09/07/13

Chipinge District

 

Team 1

 

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date      

20                           i)              MahenyePrimary School                                                 10/06/13-13/06/13

 

13                           i)              MachonaPrimary School                                                  14/06/13-17/06/13

 

1                              i)              Matezwa Primary School                                                  18/06/13-21/06/13

 

30                           i)              MbeurePrimary School                                                     22/06/13-25/06/13

 

23                           i)              MusaniPrimary School                                                      26/06/13-29/06/13

 

24                           i)              MadziwaPrimary School                                                  30/06/13-03/07/13

 

27                           i)              ClearwaterPrimary School                                                04/07/13-09/07/13

 

Team 2

 

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

28                           i)              MabeePrimary School                                                       10/06/13 – 13/06/13

 

25                           i)              RimaiPrimary School                                                        14/06/13 – 17/06/13

 

16                           i)              KondoPrimary School                                                       18/06/13 – 21/06/13

 

1                              i)              Maunganidze Primary School                                          22/06/13 – 25/06/13

 

9                              i)              PaidamoyoPrimary School                                              26/06/13 – 29/06/13

 

17                           i)              ChikoreMission  School                                                    30/06/13 – 03/07/13

 

15                           i)              MundandaPrimary School                                              04/0713 – 09/07/13

Team 3                                  

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

29                           i)              ChisumaPrimary School                                                   10/06/13-13/06/13

 

23                           i)              MuumbePrimary School                                                   14/06/13-17/06/13

 

5                              i)              SabiValleyPrimary School                                               18/06/13-21/06/13

 

4                              i)              New year’s Gift Primary School                                       22/06/13-25/06/13

 

ii)             Ratelshoek Primary School                                               26/06/13-29/06/13

 

iii)            Munoirirwa Primary School                                              30/06/13-03/07/13

 

5                              i)              Mt Selenda High School                                                    04/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

20                           i)              VhenekaPrimary School                                                   10/06/13-13/06/13

 

13                           i)              MadhukuPrimary School                                                 14/06/13-17/06/13

 

1                              i)              Tuzuka Primary School                                                     18/06/13-21/06/13

 

30                           i)              MutemaPrimary School                                                    22/06/13-25/06/13

 

23                           i)              NgaonePrimary School                                                     26/06/13-29/06/13

 

24                           i)              NyaututuPrimary School                                                  30/06/13-03/07/13

 

27                           i)              MapotePrimary School                                                     04/07/13-07/07/13

 

Makoni District

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

               

14                           i)              MaungwePrimary School                                                 10/06/13-12/06/13

 

13                           i)              DowaPrimary School                                                         13/06/13-14/06/13

 

39                           i)              MutendebvurePrimary School                                         15/06/13-18/06/13

 

37                           i)              OliviaPrimary School                                                         19/06/13-21/06/13

 

12                           i)              ChitsvaPrimary School                                                     22/06/13-24/06/13

 

15                           i)              BvekerwaPrimary School                                                 25/06/13-27/06/13

 

24                           i)              NerwandePrimary School                                                 28/06/13-30/06/13

 

25                           i)              MavhudziPrimary School                                                 01/07/13-03/07/13

 

16                           i)              ChiwarePrimary School                                                    04/07/13-06/07/13

 

1                              i)              Vengere Hall                                                                         07/07/13-09/07/13

Team  2

 Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

21                           i)              ChikunguruPrimary School                                              10/06/13 – 12/06/13

 

22                           i)              HaisoswiPrimary  School                                                  13/06/13- 15/06/13                           

 

19                           i)              St Lukes Primary School                                                    16/06/13- 18/06/13

 

20                           i)              NyakuhwePrimary School                                                19/06/13- 21/06/13

 

11                           i)              MandaPrimary School                                                      22/06/13-24/06/13

 

38                           i)              MoodisvillePrimary School                                              25/06/13-27/06/13

 

6                              i)              YorkshirePrimary School                                                  28/06/13-30/06/13

 

34                           i)              NehumbaPrimary School                                                 01/07/13-03/07/13

 

32                           i)              Mt Camel Secondary School                                            04/07/13-05/07/13

 

10                           i)              DomborembiziPrimary School                                        06/07/13-07/07/13

 

8                              i)              MabvazuvaPrimary School                                             08/07/13-09/07/13

Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

1                              i)              Chikore Primary School                                                     10/06/13-12/06/13

 

2                              i)              NyamaziraPrimary School                                               13/06/13-15/06/13

 

35                           i)              NyahondoPrimary School                                                16/06/13-17/06/13

 

5                              i)              MukutePrimary School                                                     18/06/13/-20/06/13

 

4                              i)              MarumaPrimary School                                                   21/06/13-22/06/13

 

3                              i)              DeworwiPrimary School                                                    23/06/13-25/06/13

 

36                           i)              KufaPrimary School                                                          26/06/13-28/06/13

 

9                              i)              NhetaPrimary School                                                        29/06/13-01/07/13

 

ii)             Nyahava Primary School                                                  02/07/13-03/07/13

 

8                              i)              Inyati Mine                                                                           04/07/13-06/07/13

 

7                              i)              SherenjeSecondary School                                               07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

26                          i)              GururePrimary School                                                       10/06/13-12/06/13

 

27                           i)              RukwezaSecondary School                                             13/06/13-15/06/13

 

28                           i)              MukambaPrimary School                                                   16/06/13-18/06/13

 

29                           i)              St PetersTokoyoPrimary School                                     19/06/13-21/06/13

 

31                           i)              ChidamunyuPrimary School                                           22/06/13-24/06/13

 

30                           i)              ChokobvorePrimary School                                             25/06/13-27/06/13

 

33                           i)              St Judes Primary School                                                     28/06/13-30/06/13

 

17                           i)              QuaggakloofPrimary School                                            01/07/13-03/07/13

 

18                           i)              ZuzePrimary School                                                          04/07/13-07/07/13

 

23                           i)              Chin’ono Primary School                                                  08/07/13-09/07/13

 

Mutare District

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

33                           i)              Eagle Training Centre                                                         10/06/13-12/06/13

 

6                              i)              GombakombaPrimary School                                         13/06/13-15/06/13

 

7                              i)              MusapaPrimary School                                                    16/06/13-18/06/13

 

15                           i)              MusapaPrimary School                                                    19/06/13-22/06/13

 

14                           i)              RowaPrimary School                                                         23/06/13-25/06/13

 

32                           i)              ZimunyaPrimary School                                                   26/06/13-28/06/13

 

13                           i)              ChigombwePrimary School                                              29/06/13-02/07/13

 

35                           i)              MutukwaPrimary School                                                  03/07/13-05/07/13

 

5                              i)              DoraSecondary School                                                     06/07/13-09/07/13

Team 2

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

21                           i)              ChitoraSecondary School                                                 10/06/13 – 12/06/13

 

22                           i)              ManzununuPrimary School                                             13/06/13 – 15/06/13         

 

26                           i)              MabiyaPrimary School                                                     16/06/13 – 18/06/13

 

27                           i)              ManzindePrimary School                                                 19/06/13 – 22/06/13

 

20                           i)              MunyarariPrimary School                                              23/06/13- 25/06/13

 

36                           i)              DerembwePrimary School                                                26/06/13-29/06/13

 

12                           i)              ShundurePrimary School                                                  30/06/13-03/07/13

 

11                           i)              MushunjePrimary School                                                 04/07/13-06/07/13

 

18                           i)              MatandaPrimary School                                                  07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

16                           i)              St Noah College                                                                   10/06/13-13/06/13

 

4                              i)              ZhawariPrimary School                                                    14/06/13-16/06/13

 

9                              i)              ChirindaPrimary School                                                    17/06/13-19/06/13

 

8                              i)              ZumbarePrimary School                                                   20/06/13-22/06/13

 

2                              i)              Mt Zuma Primary School                                                  23/06/13-25/06/13

 

34                           i)              ChiwerePrimary School                                                     26/06/13-29/06/13

 

31                           i)              OdziPrimary School                                                           30/06/13-02/07/13

 

3                              i)              GandidzanwaPrimary School                                          03/07/13-05/07/13

 

1                              i)              Clare Primary School                                                          06/07/13-07/07/13

 

ii)             Nyamajura Primary School                                              08/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

29                           i)              KuraunoPrimary School                                                   10/06/13-12/06/13

 

30                           i)              ChiadzwaSecondary School                                            13/06/13-16/06/13

 

24                           i)              MutsagoPrimary School                                                   17/06/13-20/06/13

 

28                           i)              MasasiPrimary School                                                      21/06/13-23/06/13

 

25                           i)              MakunikaPrimary School                                               24/06/13-26/06/13

 

19                           i)              MurehwaPrimary School                                                  27/06/13-29/06/13

 

17                           i)              ChikwariroPrimary School                                               30/06/13-02/07/13

 

10                           i)              Mt Makomwe Primary School                                         03/07/13-05/07/13

 

23                           i)              MaanhuPrimary School                                                    0607/13-09/07/13

 

Mutare Urban

Team 5

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

4                              i)              Sakubva Beit Hall                                                               10/06/13-13/06/13

 

5                              i)              DangarePrimary School                                                    14/06/13-17/06/13

 

19                           i)              FemValleyPrimary School                                               18/06/13-19/06/13

 

9                              i)              NyamauruSecondary School                                           20/06/13-23/06/13

 

15                           i)              ChirowakamwePrimary School                                       24/06/13-27/06/13

 

7                              i)              Dangamvura Beit Hall                                                       28/06/13-01/07/13

 

17                           i)              Sacred Heart Priamry School                                           02/07/13-05/07/13

 

16                           i)              St Mary’s Secondary School                                             06/07/13-09/07/13

 

Mutasa District

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date                      

 

14                           i)              ChikangaPrimary School                                                  08/06/13-10/06/13

 

11                           i)              MutareJuniorPrimary School                                          11/06/13-13/06/13

 

22                           i)              Magamba Training Centre                                                14/06/13-16/06/13

 

25                           i)              Odzi Country Club                                                              19/06/13-21/06/13

 

25                           i)              FiveStreamPrimary School                                              22/06/13-24/06/13

 

23                           i)              Old Mutare Mission                                                            25/06/13-27/06/13

 

21                           i)              Redwing Training Centre                                                   28/06/13-30/06/13

 

26                           i)              St Augustine Mission                                                          01/07/13-03/07/13

 

18                           i)              ChidazemboPrimary School                                            04/07/13-06/07/13

 

27                           i)              John Meikes Research Station                                          0707/13-09/07/13

Team 2

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

13                           i)              MagadzirePrimary School                                               10/06/13-12/06/13

 

14                           i)              BvmbaPrimary School                                                      13/06/13-15/06/13

 

16                           i)              Mt Jenya Primary School                                                  16/06/13- 18/06/13

 

25                           i)              MundendaPrimary School                                                19/06/13 -21/06/13

 

19                           i)              MwoyoweshumbaPrimary School                                 22/06/13- 24/06/13

 

8                              i)              Mupotedzi Community Hall                                             25/06/13- 27/06/13

 

6                              i)              GatsiPrimary School                                                          28/06/13-30/06/13

 

5                              i)              MuparutsaPrimary School                                              01/07/13-03/07/13

 

2                              i)              E.P.H.L. No. 6 Primary School                                        04/07/13-06/07/13

 

28                           i)              ChavhangaPrimary School                                              07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

12                           i)              MbazaSecondary School                                                 10/06/13-12/06/13

 

15                           i)              ZambePrimary School                                                      13/06/13-15/06/13

 

17                           i)              Vumbunu Primary Schoo                                                  14/06/13-16/06/13

 

20                           i)              MaparaSecondary School                                                  16/06/13-18/06/13

 

11                           i)              DomborutinhiraPrimary School                                      19/06/13-21/06/13

 

8                              i)              JombeSecondary School                                                  22/06/13-27/06/13

 

9                              i)              Honde Mission                                                                     28/06/13-30/06-13

 

6                              i)              PimaiPrimary School                                                         01/07/13-03/07/13

 

2                              i)              NyamhinguraSecondary School                                     04/07/13-06/07/13

 

ii)             Sagambe Secondary School                                             07/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4          

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

12                           i)              ChirarwePrimary School                                                   10/06/13-12/06/13

 

15                           i)              BethaniaPrimary School                                                   13/06/13-15/06/13

 

17                           i)              St Mathias Secondary School                                           16/06/13-18/06/13

 

20                           i)              MutasaPrimary School                                                     19/06/13-21/06/13

 

11                           i)              PafiwaSecondary School                                                  22/06/13-24/06/13

 

7                              i)              ChitomboPrimary School                                                 25/06/13-27/06/13

 

9                              i)              NgaruraPrimary School                                                     28/06/13-30/06/13

 

31                           i)              Hauna Sub Office                                                                 01/07/13-03/07/13

 

4                              i)              MakwaraPrimary School                                                  04/07/13-06/07/13

 

29                           i)              Katiyo    Primary School                                                    07/07/13-09/07/13

 

Nyanga District

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date                      

 

14                           i)              KuteSecondary School                                                      10/06/13-13/06/13

 

11                           i)              ChatindoPrimary School                                                  14/06/13-17/06/13

 

10                           i)              MutetwaPrimary School                                                   18/06/13-21/06/13

 

9                              i)              Kagore Rest Camp                                                              22/06/13- 26/06/13

 

7                              i)              MazaruraSecondary School                                            27/06/13  -30/06/13

 

24                           i)              SadombaPrimary School                                                  01/07/13-05/07/13

 

23                           i)              NyarumvurwePrimary School                                         06/07/13-09/07/13

Team 2

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

20                           i)              Troutbeck Barwon Downs                                                 10/06/13-13/06/13

 

13                           i)              SamanyikaPrimary School                                              14/06/13-17/06/13

 

1                             i)              Chimusasa Primary School                                               18/06/13-21/06/13

 

30                          i)              endanayi Primary School                                                  22/06/13-26/06/13

 

23                          i)              Dombo Primary School                                                      27/06/13-30/06/13

 

24                           i)              Gambe-NyatweSecondary School                                  01/07/13-05/07/13

 

27                           i)              RaudziPrimary School                                                       06/07/13-09/07/13

Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

21                           i)              DaziPrimary School                                                           10/06/13-13/06/13

 

9                              i)              KagorePrimary School                                                      14/06/13-17/06/13

 

6                              i)              ChapatarongoPrimary School                                         18/06/13-21/06/13

 

4                              i)              KanyimoPrimary School                                                  22/06/13-26/06/13

 

15                           i)              BendeSecondary School                                                   27/06/13-30/06/13

 

19                           i)              SedzePrimary School                                                         01/07/13-05/07/13

 

26                           i)              Selborne Estate Admin Centre                                          06/07/13-09/06/13

Team 4

Ward                     Centre                                                                                                   Date

 

21                           i)              Gairezi Clinic                                                                        10/06/13-13/06/13

 

10                           i)              Sabvure Clinic                                                                      14/06/13-17/06/13

 

5                              i)              Chiwarira Clinic                                                                    18/06/13-21/06/13

 

7                              i)              NyamutoweraPrimary School                                         22/06/13-26/06/13

 

18                           i)              MapakoSecondary School                                                 27/06/13-30/06/13

 

22                           i)              NyatondoPrimary School                                                 01/07/13-05/07/13

 

28                           i)              BritanniaPrimary School                                                  06/07/13-09/07/13

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Mobile Voter Registration – Harare

MOBILE VOTER REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION CENTRES 2013

 

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to inform the public that the Mobile Voter Registration and Inspection exercise shall commence on the 10th of June 2013 and end on the 9th of July 2013.  The Registration and Inspection centres will open at 0700hrs to 1900hrs during working days and 0700hrs to 1700hrs during weekends.

Documents required for Registration and Inspection are as follows:-

Registration

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence (For those who cannot produce proof of residence, an affidavit is available at the Registration and Inspection  centre)

Inspection

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture)  or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport

Transfer

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence

Any queries can be directed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials who will be at the Registration and Inspection centres.  If the assistance given is not satisfactory, please contact ZEC District offices or

 Provincial offices or ZEC Head Office on the following numbers:

Head Office :- (04) 770340 /759130/774095

E-mail :- inquiry@zec.org.zw

Listed below are the dates and mobile registration and inspection centres:

HARARE METROPOLITAN PROVINCE

Harare District          Local Authority: Harare Municipality

Team 1

Ward             Centre                                                                                                   Date

3 & 4                      i)              Mai Musodzi Hall                                                               10/06/13 – 13/06/13

11 & 12                 i)              Mbare Netball Complex                                                    14/06/13 – 16/06/13

24, 25 &26            i)              C. J. Hall                                                                                17/06/13 – 21/06/13

27, 28 & 29           i)              Glen Norah ‘A’ Community Centre                             22/06/13 – 25/06/13

30                           i)              Glen View 2 Primary School                                           26/06/13 – 28/06/13

31                           i)              Glen View 3 Primary School                                           29/06/13 – 02/07/13

32                           i)              Glen View 6 Primary School                                           03/07/13 – 05/07/13

41                           i)              Marlborough High School                                               06/07/13 – 09/07/13

 Team 2

Ward             Centre                                                                                                   Date

2                              i)              CranborneBoysHigh School                                           10/06/13 – 11/06/13

10                           i)              Sunningdale Community Hall                                         12/06/13 – 15/06/13

1                              i)              St Johns Retreat Primary School                                 16/06/13 – 20/06/13

                                ii)             Draycott Farm Hall                                                             21/06/13 – 22/06/13

                                iii)            D.D.F Manyame Hall                                                         23/06/13 – 25/06/13

                                iv)           SouthleaPark Consortium Offices                               26/06/13 – 27/06/13

                                v)            CrestBreedersPrimary School                                      28/06/13 – 29/06/13

23                           i)              Waterfalls District Office                                                30/06/13 – 02/07/13

43                           i)              Budiriro 5 Primary School                                           03/07/13 – 05/07/13

33                           i)              Budiriro Community Hall                                            06/07/13 – 09/07/13

 Team 3

 Ward             Centre                                                                                                   Date

35                           i)              Rutendo Hall                                                                        10/06/13 – 13/06/13

34                           i)              TendaiPrimary School                                                      14/06/13 – 16/06/13

39 & 45                 i)              Kuwadzana District Office                                               17/06/13 – 19/06/13

37 & 38                 i)              Kuwadzana 2 Primary School                                       20/06/13 – 22/06/13

44                           i)              Kuwadzana 8 Primary                                                      23/06/13 – 25/06/13

40                           i)              Dzivarasekwa Extension Poly Clinic                         26/06/13 – 29/06/13

39 & 45                 i)              Dzivarasekwa Community Hall                                  30/06/13 – 02/07/13

7 & 17                    i)              Magamba Community Hall                                         03/07/13 – 06/07/13

13 & 14                 i)              Kambuzuma Community Hall                                   07/07/13 – 09/07/13

 Harare District          Local Authority: Chitungwiza Municipality

 Team 4

 Ward             Centre                                                                                                   Date

1, 2, 3                     i)              Huruyadzo Shopping Centre                                   10/06/13 – 13/06/13

 7 & 8

4, 5, & 6                 i)              Zengeza 2 High School                                              14/06/13 – 16/06/13

13, 14, 15              i)              MberiPrimary School                                               17/06/13 – 19/06/13

& 16

9, 10& 11              i)              Zengeza 4 High School                                              20/06/13 – 21/06/13

12, 17, 18              i)              Chitungwiza Community Hall                               22/06/13 – 25/06/13

& 24

19, 20 & 21,          i)              Seke 4 High School                                                    26/06/13 – 29/06/13

22, 23&25             i)              SekeTeachers College                                              30/06/13 – 01/07/13

Local Authority: Harare Municipality

16                           i)              Haig Park Primary School                                         02/07/13 – 04/07/13

5                              i)              Belvedere Primary School                                      05/07/13 – 07/07/13

13                           i)              SouthertonPrimary School                                    08/07/13 – 09/07/13

Team 5

 Ward             Centre                                                                                                   Date

42                            i)              Hatcliffe Community Hall                                      10/06/13 – 14/06/13

19, 20 &21            i)              Mwanandishe Primary School                            15/06/13 – 18/06/13

46                            i)            Tafara 2 Community Centre                                   19/06/13-   20/06/13

8 & 9                      i)              Courtney Selous Primary School                       21/06/13 – 24/06/13

10                           i)              Mt Pleasant District Office Hall                           25/06/13 – 28/06/13

Local Authority: Epworth Local Board

1, 2 &7                   i)              Epworth Local Board Hall                                      29/06/13 – 02/07/13

6                              i)              ChinamanoPrimary School                                   03/07/13 – 05/07/13

3, 4 & 5                  i)              EpworthSecondary School                                   06/07/13 – 09/07/13

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Mobile Voter Registration – Bulawayo

MOBILE VOTER REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION CENTRES 2013

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to inform the public that the Mobile Voter Registration and Inspection exercise shall commence on the 10th of June 2013 and end on the 9th of July 2013.  The Registration and Inspection centres will open at 0700hrs to 1900hrs during working days and 0700hrs to 1700hrs during weekends.

Documents required for Registration and Inspection are as follows:-

Registration

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence (For those who cannot produce proof of residence, an affidavit is available at the Registration and Inspection  centre)

Inspection

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture)  or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport

Transfer

a)    National Identity Card (metal, plastic or waiting pass with holder’s picture) or

b)   Valid Zimbabwean passport and

c)    Proof of residence

Any queries can be directed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials who will be at the Registration and Inspection centres.  If the assistance given is not satisfactory, please contact ZEC District offices or

Provincial offices or ZEC Head Office on the following numbers:

Head Office :- (04) 770340 /759130/774095

E-mail :- inquiry@zec.org.zw

Listed below are the dates and mobile registration and inspection centres:

 BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE

Team 1

Ward                     Centre                                                                                   Dates

1                              i)              Milton Junior Primary School                         10/06/13-14/06/13

2                              i)              TrenancePrimary School                                  15/06/13-18/06/13

                                ii)             Airport Primary School                                    19/06/13-22/06/13

3                              i)              KhumaloPrimary School                                  23/06/13-27/06/13

                                ii)             Centenary Primary School                               28/06/13-01/07/13

4                              i)              LochviewPrimary School                                 02/07/13-05/07/13

                                ii)             Tennyson Primary School                                06/07/13-09/07/13

 Team 2

Ward                     Centre                                                                                   Dates

5                              i)              Moray Primary School                                       10/06/13-13/06/13

                                ii)             Henry Low Primary School                               14/06/13-17/06/13

6                              i)              GreenfieldPrimary School                                 18/06/13-21/06/13

                                ii)             Founders High School                                        22/06/13-25/06/13

7                              i)              LotshePrimary School                                      26/06/13-29/06/13

8                              i)              Mc Donald Community Hall                            30/06/13-04/07/13

                                ii)             Losikeyi Primary School                                  05/07/13-09/07/13

 Team 3

Ward                     Centre                                                                                   Dates

16                           i)              Fusi Primary School                                            10/06/13-13/06/13

17                           i)              St PetersPrimary School                                    14/06/13-15/06/13

                                ii)             Robert Sinyoka Primary School                     16/06/13-19/06/13

19                           i)              Pumula Community Hall                                  20/06/13-23/06/13

18                           i)              Magwegwe Community Hall                            24/06/13-27/06/13

20                           i)              MgoqoPrimary School                                      28/06/13-01/07/13

21                           i)              Sizinda Communitty Hall                                  02/07/13-05/07/13

22                           i)              Nkulumane Community Hall                           06/07/13-09/07/13

Team 4

 Ward                     Centre                                                                                   Dates

9                              i)              Mpopoma Communnity Hall                           10/06/13-13/06/13

10                           i)              Entumbane Community Hall                           14/06/13-17/06/13

11                           i)              EmakhandeniSecondary School                     18/06/13-21/06/13

12                           i)              LobengulaSecondary School                           22/06/13-25/06/13

13                           i)              Iminyela Community Hall                                 26/06/13-30/06/13

14                           i)              InkanyeziPrimary School                                 01/07/13-04/07/13

15                           i)              Beit Hall Community Hall                                 05/07/13-09/07/13

 Team 5

 Ward                     Centre                                                                                   Dates

23                           i)              Queen Elizabeth 11 Primary School            10/06/13-13/06/13

24                           i)              Nketa Community Hall                                     14/06/13-17/06/13

25                           i)              ManondwanePrimary School                          18/06/13-21/06/13

26                           i)              SenzangakhonaPrimary School                      22/06/13-26/06/13

27                           i)              Pumula South Community Hall                       27/06/13-30/06/13

28                           i)              MathlathiniPrimary School                              01/07/13-05/07/13

29                           i)              MazwiPrimary School                                       06/07/13-09/07/13

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Take advantage of voter registration

Daily News

By Wendy Muperi

10 June 2013

HARARE - Zimbabweans should fight for their democratic voting right by registering as voters in the forthcoming watershed election.

Education minister and Senator, David Coltart told citizens to take advantage of the second voter registration and inspection exercise which commences today nationwide.

“The intensive national exercise of voter registration and inspection of the voters roll starts tomorrow. I urge everyone to use this opportunity at the very least to check if they are on the voters roll and also to get registered if they have not done so before.

“Now is not the time to be apathetic. If we   are apathetic then those opposed to democratic  reform and the positive transformation of our nation could win this election by default. So please from tomorrow ACT and encourage all those around you to ACT,” posted the minister on Facebook.

Because of “prohibitive” registration requirements, many aspiring first time voters were turned away.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who is in an uneasy power-sharing government with President Robert Mugabe, also had a first-hand experience of the hassles first-time voters are faced with when he tried to register his 18-year-old twins.

Civil society also slammed the process that has seen thousands of potential voters being turned away.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and civic society concurred that the first mobile voter registration exercise was chaotic forcing Cabinet to proclaim another exercise.

According to the Constitutional Court ruling, Zimbabwe is set to hold elections by July 31 this year but the two MDC formations and other smaller parties are contesting the judgment citing

Contrary to the only two registration teams per district during the first exercise, four teams have been assigned to ensure that every ward country-wide is covered during the exercise, the registrar general Tobaiwa Mudede said in the media.

The exercise is expected to end on July 9.

Centres are supposed to open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday while during weekends they will close two hours earlier.

But during the first exercise, on several occasions teams retired before appointed closing times.

Treasury is said to have poured $25 million for the exercise which will pave way for the holding of harmonised elections as the inclusive government’s life-span draws to a close on the 29th of this month.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

David Coltart – Zim Elections by July 31 IMPOSSIBLE

Afrocomplete Online News

8 June 2013

Official Statement from David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in Zimbabwe

Biography

David Coltart, MDC Senator, has been a human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe since his return to the country in 1983. He was first elected to represent the Bulawayo South House of Assembly constituency in June 2000, and was re-elected in March 2005. In March 2008 he was elected as a Senator to represent the Khumalo Senatorial constituency in Bulawayo. Senator Coltart was sworn in as Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in February 2009.

Monday the 3rd June has come and gone without the intensive minimum 30 day voter registration and inspection period mandated by section 6(3) of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution starting. In fact I am reliably informed that the exercise will not start tomorrow as there are major logistical problems still to be overcome. There certainly has been no advertisement regarding where the voting registration centres will be located yet and so it is unlikely that the exercise will even get underway on Wednesday.

In any event one of the first logistical problems I warned of on Saturday is about to arise. If one works back from the date set for the election by the Constitutional Court, the 31st July, the problem will become apparent. Section 38(1)!a)(ii) of the current Electoral Act states that there must be a minimum period of 28 days from the nomination court date until the election. Which means that the nomination court must sit at the latest by the 3rd July for the 28 day period to be squeezed in before the 31st July.

On nomination day there has to be a voters roll because those seeking to be nominated have to be on the voters roll. Likewise in terms of section 46(1)(a) of the current Electoral Act anyone seeking nomination to Parliament must secure the signatures of at least 10 people whose names are on the voters roll. So in other words by the 3rd July, the latest possible date for the nomination court in terms of the timetable set by the Constitutional Court, there must be a voters roll containing the names of all those who have sought registration as voters. Without that voters roll no-one can be nominated.

We then need to go back where we started – namely section 6(3) of the 6th Schedule – that mandates a minimum period of 30 days of registration AND INSPECTION. What is the purpose of inspection? Obviously to check that one’s name is on the voters roll and the names of those who one wants to support one’s nomination are on the voters roll. In other words a final voters roll for the purposes of nomination cannot be produced until at the very least the 30 day period has been completed. As of midnight tonight it will be impossible to have this mandatory 30 period end prior to the last date for the nomination court to sit namely the 3rd July.

Accordingly with effect from midnight tonight the date of the 31st July set for the election, under any minimalistic or narrow interpretation of the electoral process (ie even ignoring all the other electoral challenges such as producing a voters roll in such a short space of time and the funding of the entire exercise), becomes legally and constitutionally impossible.

It goes without saying that every day now that the voter registration exercise does not commence leads to greater and greater absurdities and breaches of these fundamental provisions. Those who are promoting this state of affairs, are at risk of making themselves the laughing stock of SADC and indeed the world if this absurd situation is allowed to continue.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Zimbabwe Election Watch : Issue 3

The Zimbabwean

By Sokwanele

7 June 2013

Zimbabwe Election Watch Issue 3 is written in the wake of a Constitutional Court ruling handed down on 31 May which compels the President to hold elections before 31 July 2013. This ZEW summary focuses primarily on the ensuing issues raised by the ruling.

The case was brought before the courts by Jealously Mawarire, a private citizen, a registered voter and a member of the Centre for Election Democracy in Southern Africa. His complaint was that his constitutional rights to have elections before the 30th June had been violated by the failure to do so by the President.

The court ruling follows endless disputes between the three main parties on when elections should be held. Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has been adamant that elections should be held earlier – 29 June 2013 was their preferred date – while the MDC parties have insisted on September/October as a more reasonable time. The later date, the MDCs and others have argued, allows time for necessary legislation to be passed following the acceptance of a new constitution, and also allows time for reforms to be implemented as agreed in the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Zanu PF is resisting implementing reforms, and their push for an early election date has been seen as one way for them to secure elections without reforms.

The court ruling also comes one week before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) holds a special summit on 9 and 10 June 2013 in Mozambique to discuss and approve a roadmap for Zimbabwe’s elections.

How the various parties respond to the ruling will have consequences for clauses in the SADC electoral guidelines. Two of these are of particular concern to election weary and violence wary ordinary Zimbabweans: in particular, 4.1.1 compelling governments to protect the constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of the citizens, and 4.1.2 asking governments to provide a conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections.

Zanu PF has responded with support for the date: Robert Mugabe has said he will comply with the ruling and hold elections before 31 July regardless of objections from his rivals (http://bit.ly/13wQMvg). And both MDCs have publically recognised the importance of the rule of law and their willingness to comply with it: Douglas Mwonzora, spokesperson for MDC-T, said “For the avoidance of any doubt, the MDC is ready for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. That means for the MDC, the issue is not about the date of the elections, is about the conditions under which these elections are held” (http://bit.ly/17og5Fk). Welshman Ncube, MDC leader, has said “We all need to respect court judgments because not to do so invites anarchy” (http://ht.ly/lILYh).

Despite stated support for the principle of the rule of law, the two MDC parties have also expressed serious reservations over the rightness of the ruling. Welshman Ncube, himself a constitutional lawyer, wrote:

No court of law should ask us to believe and accept that 1 plus 1 equals 3. I have read and reread the majority judgment over and over, again and again and I have read again and again the provisions of the former constitution and the current constitution that fell for interpretation and my mind refuses to accept the possibility of the correctness of that judgment.

To accept that judgment as correct would amount to me committing grave violence on my intellect. With the greatest respect, the majority judgment is PLAINLY wrong. One plus one is not three. Yes, the judgment binds us and we have to comply with it to the extent that it will be possible to do so, but we cannot accept that it is correct when it is plainly wrong (ibid.)

The MDC-T said:

The case was clearly sponsored by the chaos faction of Zanu PF to achieve three results. First, it was to force an election in June 2013. Second, it was to enable President Mugabe to singularly set the election date without consulting the Prime Minister as is required by the Global Political Agreement. Third, it was to force elections in Zimbabwe without the necessary reforms. Fourth, it was to avoid the election being in proximity of the UNWTO (http://on.fb.me/11htt5J).

The MDC-T has also inferred that they believe the recent appointment of two new judges to the bench was Zanu PF’s way of securing judicial advantage for their party in cases like this one. They argue that Robert Mugabe swore in the judges before he assented to the new constitution, and in so doing bypassed the more rigorous new conditions for judicial appointments enshrined in the new constitution. There is clear precedent for Zanu PF influencing judicial appointments that dates back through the last decade right up until the current time: in ZEW Issue 1, for example, we highlighted the current harassment of Justice Charles Hungwe following two judgements he made which did not support the political agenda of Zanu PF hardliners.

Senator Coltart, MDC Secretary for Legal Affairs, has also identified a fundamental contradiction in the Constitutional Court ruling, and that is that if all parties are to comply with the ruling, then the only way they can do so is to break the law. He points out that the new constitution specifies a minimum 30 day period for voter registration and inspection exercise which is a fundamental precursor for nomination courts. He points out that the new constitution demands a further 30 days between nomination day and election day:

I am writing this as plainly as I can! 30 days plus 30 days equals 60 days. Today is the 5th June 2013. Add 60 days to that and you will see we get to the 5th August.

Unless we amend the Constitution to reduce the days mentioned above an election held on the 31st July will be unconstitutional and therefore unlawful. That is hardly the best way to start this new Constitutional era (http://on.fb.me/11htt5J).

The confusion and discussion will make its way to the SADC summit this weekend and pressure will be on SADC to broker a way forward. Five of Zimbabwe’s political leaders have come together (leaders representing MDC-T, ZAPU, MDC, MKD and ZANU Ndonga) to form a joint position demanding that political and electoral reforms are implemented before the next harmonized elections. In a statement released yesterday, the five said:

The leaders expressed reservations about the practicality of the July 31st deadline set by the court and resolved that they will communicate their position to SADC. The parties therefore, look forward to the extra ordinary SADC summit to affirm previous SADC resolutions and the agreed roadmap to elections.

SADC, via the office of Jacob Zuma, the South African President and facilitator of Zimbabwe’s GPA, has provided some indication for the focus of the meeting:

With or without the court ruling, we are going ahead to meet the parties as the facilitation team ahead of the SADC summit (to be held in Mozambique on Sunday), which (decision) was agreed on during the summit held in Addis Ababa, (Ethiopia, two weeks ago). All parties have been invited.

As the facilitator put it at the summit, we want the comfort of having a clear roadmap to the elections, with timelines agreed upon by the parties themselves. The ultimate is to have credible elections. We want to avoid the 2008 scenario” (Lindiwe Zulu - http://bit.ly/1b3KMg1).

ZEW continues to log breaches of the SADC electoral principles and guidelines throughout, and eight examples of breaches since Issue 2 are outlined below.

The new voter registration drive, as required under the new constitution, was due to start on Monday this week (3 June) but will now only start on 10 June 2013 and run-up until 9 July 2013. The previous registration drive was plagued by problems right up until it concluded. Examples of breaches affecting voter registration in this ZEW issue include funding shortages, an admission by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson that the exercise was chaotic, and a serious concern raised by the Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development deputy minister Jessie Majome, who noted that the registration exercise disenfranchised women:

Proof of residence disenfranchises women because of the nature of the society we live in. There are very few women who can claim to own a house, let alone a lease agreement in their name.

Majome’s point is a violation of SADC electoral guideline 4.1.3 which compels signatory states to ensure non-discrimination in voters’ registration. And when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs attempted to visit voter registration centres to monitor and inspect the voters’ roll countrywide, their permission to travel was refused by the Clerk of Parliament. Silobela MP, Anadi Sululu, who is also a committee member, described the decision as ‘political’.

Police obstacles to meetings and voter education continued. Two examples: in Hwange, police falsely accused Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) officials of illegally carrying out voter education in the region. They confiscated hundreds of materials meant for distribution in the area to encourage people to register to vote. Simba Makoni, leader of the Mavambo / Kusile / Dawn (MKD) party, had police permission to hold a meeting with the Norton Community withdrawn only hours before the meeting was scheduled to start.

Finally, in previous ZEW issues we have highlighted extreme partisanship on the part of security sector leaders. In this issue, three police officers found themselves charged with contravening the Police Act because they attended a political rally – an allegation they deny. The difference in this case is that the police officers apparently attended an MDC-T ralley. Noting the very different approaches to these men and the heads of the security sector, Zimbabweans will infer that political partisanship is acceptable within the security sector, provided it is supportive of the Zanu PF party.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

‘Constitutional crisis looms’

News Day

By News Day Reporter

7 June 2013

THE MDC secretary for legal affairs David Coltart yesterday said there is need to go back to the Constitutional Court to ask it to reverse its decision ordering the holding of elections by July 31 as it has caused a constitutional crisis.

Coltart, in a statement, said the commencement of the mandatory 30-day voter registration on Monday next week means the earliest possible date of holding elections was August 9.

“Given our current helter-skelter approach to the electoral process let us assume that the nomination courts will sit immediately after the final voters roll has been produced on 10th July,” Coltart said.

“That is when the other aspect of section 157(3) of the Constitution applies — namely the provision that there needs to be a period of at least 30 days between the nomination court date and the election itself. In short, it means that given Mudede’s statement (on voter registration starting on July 9) the election cannot under any circumstances be held lawfully and in compliance with the Constitution before the 9th August 2013.”

The Constitutional court last week ordered President Robert Mugabe to ensure polls were held by July 31.

Coltart said the way out of the Constitutional quagmire was to go back to the Constitutional Court to get a fresh court order enabling the country not to be in “contravention of other electoral provisions” and indeed the Constitution itself.”

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Programme to address learning anomalies launched in Bulawayo

The Chronicle

By Pamela Shumba

7 June 2013

THOUSANDS of pupils in Bulawayo cannot read or write and are performing far below their form levels in Mathematics, the Bulawayo provincial Education Director, Mr Dan Moyo, revealed yesterday. Addressing delegates at the official launch of the Performance Lag Address

Programme (PLAP), for Bulawayo, at Coghlan Primary School yesterday, Mr Moyo said a pilot project conducted in the province revealed that a majority of pupils were performing far below expected levels.

PLAP is a programme designed to address learning anomalies and eradicate zero percent pass rates in schools.

It identifies the level or grade at which pupils stopped grasping learning concepts and accelerates their understanding to the level it should be at.

Mr Moyo said the shocking results came out after pupils from 30 primary schools and 30 secondary schools in the province were tested in a survey in Mathematics, reading and spellings.

He said of the 21 845 pupils tested at secondary school, 19 861 were performing below expected levels, while 527 were performing at the expected level and 1 457 performed above expected levels.

“At primary level, out of a total of about 11 086, an average of 6 273 primary school pupils tested in the pilot study are operating below their expected grade levels.

“Only 1 397 primary school pupils are performing at the expected grade levels and 3 416 are performing above their grade levels,” said Mr Moyo.

He expressed concern over the shocking statistics but was optimistic that PLAP would tremendously improve the pupils’ performance, saying he expected heads of schools, teachers and parents to take PLAP seriously.

“As Bulawayo province, these results are our indicator. No doubt we have experienced negative results and we need to adjust the environment such that we start yielding positive results. We are definitely going to have higher pass rates, a competent and confident young generation, which in turn will give us an adult generation of effective and efficient problem solvers and decision makers,” said Mr Moyo.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Mrs Constance Chigwamba said PLAP had proved that it could boost the academic achievement of learners in all subjects.

“This programme was first tried out in one of the provinces and public examination results began to improve. The programme begins by assessing the functional level of every learner and comparing these to what is expected at their level.

“If the learner lags behind, the teacher conducts remedial lessons on a regular basis. Extra reading and Mathematics exercises are provided and in most cases she or he begins to improve in a relatively short time,” she said.

Mrs Chigwamba commended Bulawayo province for embracing and according the programme the recognition it deserved, saying PLAP was one of the support programmes for those experiencing different types of disadvantages.

She said literacy was the key to the development of any nation because one could read words, calculate numbers, make wise decisions and be a responsible and productive citizen.

The programme will start operating in Bulawayo schools on Monday.

It has already been launched, with notable success in Manicaland and Matabeleland North and is set to spread to the rest of the country.

Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart graced the occasion, together with senior officials from his ministry, the Public Service Commission and tertiary institutions, councillors, education officers, teachers and parents.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Zim Vote in July Would Violate Constitution – Coltart

Bloomberg Business Week 

By Brian Latham

6 June 2013

Zimbabwe can’t hold general elections by a July 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court without violating the constitution, according to Senator David Coltart.

There isn’t enough time for the registration of voters that ends July 9 and the nomination of candidates 30 days before a vote as the constitution stiplulates, Coltart, a lawyer and secretary for legal affairs in a faction of the Movement for Democratic Change party, said today on his website.

“The election cannot under any circumstances be held lawfully and in compliance with the constitution before the 9th August 2013,” he said.

Coltart made his statement as the 15-nation Southern African Development Community prepares to discuss Zimbabwe’s elections at a June 9 meeting in the Mozambican capital, Maputo. President Robert Mugabe has repeatedly called for an early vote, while both factions of the MDC have said the May 31 Supreme Court ruling was unconstitutional and unfeasible.

The electoral commission yesterday described the voters’ roll as a “shambles,” Newsday, based in the capital, Harare, reported. The body said an election date must be at least 44 days after voter registration is completed.

Mugabe, 89, has ruled the southern African nation since its independence from the U.K. more than three decades ago.

He shares power with the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC and a smaller faction of the party led by Welshman Ncube, a law professor. The five-year power-sharing agreement was brokered by SADC after it declared elections in 2008 void because of violence mainly against MDC supporters.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment