By CCN Reporter
As the election mode gathers momentum, the churches and Civic Society Organisations in Zimbabwe are closely monitoring the environment to ensure electoral reforms are put in place before 2023. In a meeting organized by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) in Harare, Churches and Civic Society Organizations reflected on the progress made in the adoption and implementation of electoral reforms. The meeting, which was held in Harare, also analysed the operating environment and its implications on the electoral reform agenda and related developments in Zimbabwe. Churches, under the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, (ZHOCD) and representatives of different Civic Society Organizations expressed concern over the non-independence of state institutions and independent Commissions like the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The meeting pointed out that facilitating electoral reforms was everyone’s responsibility including the army, police, the media and other players.
The CSOs which include the Election Resource Centre (ERC), Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, called for the implementation of electoral reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in elections. They also reflected on advocacy strategies to ensure free and fair elections come 2023. The meeting also looked at the recommendations of the 2018 harmonised election report in relation to the prevailing situation as the country prepares for 2023.