Melinda Kusemachibi
Election Resource Centre (ERC) has issued a statement urging the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to shun perpetrating violence towards opposition party activists conducting their campaigns ahead of the March 26 by-elections.
In a statement ERC said they have noted with great concern that police oppression has become rampant.
“The Election Resource Centre has noted with grave concern the rising levels of police led oppression and intimidation which are characterizing political and campaign activities ahead of the 2022 by-elections,” read part of the statement.
ERC said that there is abuse of the law as they (police officers) deny Citizens Coalition for Change and its candidates from conducting their campaigns.
“Incidents of what appear to be systematic abuse of the law to deny the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and candidates the opportunity to campaign in line with section 67 of the constitution have been reported over the past few weeks,” added the statement.
The ERC statement also highlighted that the police should protect human and electoral rights not to breach the law.
“The protection of human and electoral rights is part and parcel of the exercise of police functions under section 219 (1) (e) of the constitution. Police officers are the first line of defense in the protection of political rights especially in light of the upcoming by-elections and must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes credible elections,” the statement read.
ERC also said ZRP should ensure that the country remains devoted to being multiparty democratic state.
“ERC calls on the ZRP to ensure that the country remains committed to multiparty democracy and should refrain from exercising their powers in a manner that undermines the conditions conducive to open participation, free and fair elections,” added the statement.
The election watchdog urged ZEC to punish those that violates the terms of democratic process of free and fair elections.
“The ERC additionally calls on ZEC to condemn in the strongest possible terms all conduct and behavior that undermines our democratic processes of free and fair elections,” read the statement.
Recently, police in Gokwe used water cannons, teargas and batons to disperse a gathering of CCC supporters and in Kwekwe a CCC supporter was stabbed to death while others were injured when suspected armed ZANU PF activists stormed a rally at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre.
Former Masvingo Mayor Hubert Fidze and other CCC Masvingo urban members were arrested for conducting door to door campaigns during the weekend of March 12 and 13, a few weeks after Ward 7 and Ward 4 CCC candidates Richard Musekiwa and Aleck Tabe were also arrested for the same offence.
