#ElectionsZW: Postpone 2023 elections says FORUS Party
Newly formed opposition party Freedom of Rights Under Sovereign (FORUS) leader Manyara Irene Muyenziwa has urged the government to postpone the 2023 elections arguing that Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is unable to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.
Muyenziwa made this u-turn on the 2023 general elections during a #TwitterGrill session on OpenParlyZW’s Twitter platform.
“ZEC is not fit for purpose as it is not allowing electoral reforms. We need to look for another organisation that conducts electoral reforms in a transparent manner,” she said.
Muyenziwa who, during the launch of her political party, claimed that she was ready to contest in the 2023 elections also said the elections must be postponed to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
“You have got to look at the issue of healthy safety leading to a political crisis. The decision whether to go on with elections because of the Coronavirus crisis has proved divisive between governments and opposition parties in many countries,” she said adding that incumbent governments always reschedule elections to their advantage despite severe health risks posed by COVID 19.
Postponing elections is part of the policy response to the crisis which ideally requires a broad political consensus.
She added: “There should be respectful democracy, human rights, and rule of law during the state of emergency, upholding such rights must constitute a priority. Postponing elections entails taking political risks.
Muyenziwa said holding 2023 elections will disadvantage political parties that have not been able to interact with the electorate as a result of strict COVID 19 protocols.
“Political parties have not had a chance to meet with their voters, having the right to a proper campaign as well as visiting different constituencies to uphold interactions with voters. the restrictions and curfews have not allowed politicians to effectively campaign,” she said.
#ElectionsZW: Postpone 2023 elections says FORUS Party
