ZEC should desist from politics and stick to being an independent body says Chinotimba

0
98
ZEC should desist from politics and stick to being an independent body says Chinotimba
Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba

ZEC should desist from politics and stick to being an independent body says Chinotimba

Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba had no kind word for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), urging them to stick to being an independent body and not meddle in politics.

The self-styled legislator accused ZEC of removing a ward in his constituency and putting it in another constituency and taking a ward from that constituency and putting it in Buhera South.

He said this does not make sense and should be rectified.

Honourable Chinotimba concurred with various issues highlighted by Harare East legislator Tendai Biti on the report.

Below is the full text of what Honourable Chinotimba said in the National Aseembly.

HON. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I can see that the issue that is being debated in this House is the same thing.  Members of Parliament, maybe there are a few who are happy with this delimitation process by ZEC, most of the Constituencies are at war. My first point is delimitation is supposed to be done after 10 years but this delimitation was done after 15years.  This means ZEC did not follow proper procedure whether there was COVID but they were three years behind, where they failed to do delimitation.  ZEC also did not go to the people to inform them on what they were about to do.  They did not also go to the traditional leaders; they are important. 

Us as Members of Parliament, we were not informed that we are coming into your area of Buhera to do this and that.  I just remember that one day they told me that we shall come to your area but that was the end.  Mr. Speaker, I once thought that there was a reason why they were doing this, may be for political mileage.  I live in Ward 24 but for voting purposes, my name is in Ward 26, that is far away from where I live.  They took Ward 24 and placed it in Buhera Central.  They took another ward from Buhera Central and placed it in Buhera South.

Numbers are the same, around 3 thousand something.  I wonder what they wanted to achieve.  The issue that I have is that I do not want to tell them that do not embezzle people’s funds.  ZEC should desist from politics and stick to its mandate as an independent body.  Now, when they remove one ward and put into another constituency, then take a ward from that same constituency and put it to the later, it makes no sense.  The way they did it as what has been said by Hon. Biti – Ward 17 of Buhera district is in Churu, very far away.  They took that number of voters to Buhera South.  Now the then Ward 17 was changed to Ward 25 but it is not indicated on their maps, we noticed it ourselves.

If ZEC officials were here, they would hear this for themselves but they are not here.  We are just talking among ourselves.  The Minister of Finance, when we are debating budget, he will be with his people but we are not seeing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) here.  So, we are appealing that what ZEC did, some said that they should rectify then we can postpone the elections to give them time; if it is possible then we can hold elections in 2028, no problem.  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Do not say aaah because I am only echoing an opinion that was made to this House or ZEC should return or we should go back because it did not adhere to Section 161 and all that Hon. Biti referred to; they did not adhere to it.  So, where are we heading?  What I am recommending is that ZEC has failed this time around. If we really want to go for elections we should use the 2018 delimitation because we do not want people who will cry foul after the elections because there is no political party that is siding with ZEC.

Hon. Biti is saying that it is not good and we are saying it is not good.  So what we are saying is that we should revert to 2018 and ZEC follows the law, consults the people and do away with this changing of wards in constituencies.  Why are you removing certain wards and putting them in certain constituencies and vice versa?  I think that ZEC did not do well.  So Mr. Speaker, I support the Ad Hoc Committee 100%, if ZEC was here.  I do not see the Hon. Minister jotting down our contributions.  So I do not know how he is taking down all the points that are being said here. These are my submissions.  Thank you.

ZEC should desist from politics and stick to being an independent body says Chinotimba