ZEC Must Disband Before 2023-ZSED

The newly formed Midlands based political outfit- Zimbabwe Socio Economic Democrats party says the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must disband before the crunch 2023 elections in order to preserve the credibility of the polls since the current electoral mother body has a “flawed past”.

Speaking at the official launch of the party in Gweru on Saturday, Nkosikhona Ndlovu, the ZSED president who is a former member of ZAPU told hundreds of the party’s supporters who gathered at Mtapa hall that even the coming by-elections should not have been pencilled under the current leadership of ZEC led by chairperson Priscila Chigumba.

The by-elections are slated for 26 March this year.

“We really feel that ZEC has to be disbanded because they are not apologetic for being non-partisan and their decision to stuff the commission with former military personnel. It clearly shows that the institution is captured and it is not independent. This is confirmed by the recent interview that Priscila ( Chigumba) where she was clearly arrogant when explaining why there were few people registered as of December last year,” he said.

Ndlovu said there is need for ZEC to restructure and reform so that there is a new commission that instils confidence in voters.

“If people do not have faith and trust in ZEC, they may as well say whats the point in voting when our will be stolen. That would then lead to fundamental voter apathy. Now that defeats the course of democracy that we all yearn for,” said Ndlovu.

The official launch of the party was disturbed by the police who rounded up its leadership mid-way accusing them of having gathered people in excess of the stipulated 100 figure as prescribed by measures put in place by government to help reduce spread of Covid 19.

Ironically Zanu PF flouts this regulation with impunity.

The ZSED party leaders were later released without charges.