…begs political party leaders to foster peace ahead of 2023 harmonized elections
Fredrick Moyo
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has condemned political and electoral violence that unfavourably affect the participation of vulnerable groups electoral processes.
ZESN on October 18 released a press statement calling on political parties’ leaders and supporters to distance themselves from political and electoral violence ahead of the 2023 harmonized elections as violence negatively affect the electoral processes and outcomes.
“The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) implores political party leaders and their supporters to foster peace ahead of the 2023 harmonized elections. The call comes against the prevailing toxic political environment which has been characterized by a spate of inter-party as well as intra-party violence that occurred in Matobo and Insiza.
“These violent clashes have a potential to adversely affect the participation in democratic electoral processes of the electorate in particular vulnerable groups,” read part of the statement.
ZESN called on political parties to have conflict management mechanisms as violence affect citizens’ rights, undermines democracy and erodes trust in democratic processes.
“Political and electoral related violence undermines civil and political rights and affects citizens’ right to compete in electoral processes; erodes trust in democratic processes; undermines the quality of democracy thereby limiting inclusive participation and leads to voter apathy as it discourages the electorate particularly women and people with disabilities to participate in electoral processes and leadership positions.
“The Network thus calls on political parties to foster peace, come up with conflict management mechanisms and create a conducive political environment where divergent views are respected and where all citizens enjoy their fundamental rights without fear in line with the dictates of Section 67 (2) of the Constitution which provides for fundamental rights,” added the statement.
ZESN also urged political parties to engage the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) in such instances so that they investigate, speak out against violence, uncover the causes behind the conflicts, and assist all victims of the conflict, to facilitate dialogue among political parties and offer possible solutions in order to prevent conflicts and disputes arising in the future.
Political and electoral violence have been on the rise in the country as it draws closer to the much awaited 2023 general elections.
Recently, in Insiza armed ZANU PF youths allegedly attacked Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party members.