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Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi

Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has established an observers’ accreditation committee to accredit observers during the harmonised elections. The electoral body has also invited applications for accreditation from individuals and organisations wishing to observe all electoral processes related to the elections.

In a statement yesterday, ZEC chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi said the accreditation committee comprised of 10 people.

“ZEC has in terms of Section 40H (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) established an observers’ accreditation committee to accredit observers for the 2013 harmonised elections. The committee comprises of the chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau, the deputy chairperson Mrs Joyce Kazembe, three commissioners Professor Geof Feltoe, Mrs Bessie Nhandara and Mr Daniel Chigaru,” said Mr Sekeramayi.  Other members are Mr Joseph Jambo from the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Maxwell Ranga from the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Mr Chrispen Mavodza and Mr Stephen Museki from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The secretary of the committee is Mr D Chidakuza.

Mr Sekeramayi said aspiring observers must be registered as  private voluntary organisations in terms of the Private Voluntary Organisation Act 9 Chapter (17:05) or established under a Notarial Deed of Trust that is registered at the Deeds office.

“No consortium, confederation or similar association of local organisations may apply for accreditation of its constituent members as observers. They may only apply for members of the management team or secretariat.

“No application for accreditation observers may be made by or on behalf of a person who has been convicted of an electoral offence for which the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine or an organisation which consists of any member who has been convicted of any electoral offence involving fraud or dishonesty,” said Mr Sekeramayi.

He said applicants must declare that their lists do not include such individuals.

Mr Sekeramayi said local organisations were should direct their applications through the ZEC Provincial Elections Office of the province in which the observers propose to discharge their duties.

He said independent commissions established by the country’s constitution and other state institutions or foreign organisations should apply for their members of staff directly to the chief elections officer at ZEC Headquarters.

The electoral body is charging $10 accreditation fees for local observers, $20 for regional observers, and $50 for observers from foreign embassies in the country and $100 for observers from any country outside Africa. Zimbabwean media practitioners accredited with the Zimbabwe Media Commission and working in the country for foreign media houses will pay $50 while Zimbabwean local media practitioners will pay $10 to be accredited.