1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio
1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio
1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio
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continued up to the 22 nd June with the ZEC Committee on Media Monitoring stating that it<br />
would continue to monitor <strong>election</strong> coverage by the media according to Section 16G of the ZEC<br />
Act which obliges ZEC to carry out such monitoring to ensure that parties, candidates, and<br />
broadcasters, print publishers and journalists observe the fair coverage provisions of the ZEC<br />
Act and regulations. However, it was disturbing to note that although media coverage and<br />
reporting was heavily biased in favor of the incumbent, ZEC neither publicly condemned the act<br />
or take serious measures to curb the act.<br />
Election Administration<br />
Sound <strong>election</strong> administration is a critical in building political party confidence in the conduct of<br />
<strong>election</strong>s. ZEC set up 9232 polling stations and engaged more than 64000 polling officers to<br />
monitor the June 27 presidential run-off and three house of assembly by-<strong>election</strong>. However,<br />
ZEC, the body that runs <strong>election</strong>s in Zimbabwe only began voter education on radio at the end<br />
of the week ending 20 June. ZEC also depends on the personnel of other government<br />
departments to carry out its electoral processes on polling day reportedly recruited 64 000 staff.<br />
In previous <strong>election</strong>s it had relied on civil servants especially teachers to carry out these<br />
functions. Alleged use of youth militias and war veterans by ZEC as polling officers and<br />
presiding officers in the 27 June <strong>election</strong>s could have seriously compromised the secrecy of the<br />
ballot box as their neutrality was highly questionable.<br />
Also at issue is the independence and neutrality of ZEC and its ability to work without being<br />
influenced by political parties. It is vital for an <strong>election</strong> commission to be impartial and to instill<br />
the confidence of the electorate, political parties and civic society. Calls for the reconstitution of<br />
ZEC were commonly heard from most stakeholders and observers.<br />
ZEC has not been more forthcoming as to the progress that has been made with regard to the<br />
preparations of the run-off. In addition, the institution did not give the public information on the<br />
number of ballot papers they had printed and distribution pattern.<br />
Media Coverage of Political Parties<br />
Media plays a pivotal role in the democratization of <strong>election</strong>s informing the public of what<br />
politicians are offering in terms of their plans, programs and policies. However in its analysis of<br />
political party media coverage, the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe [MMPZ] established<br />
that in Zimbabwe, the ethics of good journalism have been violated as reporting on <strong>election</strong><br />
issues was done in a partisan way that exposes the orientations of the reporters. The public<br />
has not been allowed to form their own political opinions based solely on the political<br />
candidate’s submissions. The print media in Zimbabwe have not been able to establish and<br />
maintain contact with rural communities yet these are the areas that need more explanation on<br />
political programs. The role of the media is to expose violations, investigate allegations of<br />
electoral fraud, to be balanced and neutral. While ZEC has a media monitoring department that<br />
is mandated to ensure that all parties to an <strong>election</strong> are able to access state owned media<br />
without discrimination and ensuring equality of opportunity, this proved to be moribund as only<br />
ZANU PF campaign messages have been advertised.<br />
Voice Distribution on ZBC<br />
As further revealed by MMPZ, voice distribution on state owned media in the week before the<br />
<strong>election</strong> from 22 nd of June to the 27 th of June 2008 was as follows: ZANU PF [101%],<br />
Government [19%], ZEC [6%], War Veterans [9%], and, ZRP [26%]. Since ZBC is the sole<br />
source of news to most Zimbabweans and denying, the MDC T access to public media denies<br />
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