Elections in Zimbabwe have been the subject of contention and protracted legal action due to irregularities and a general lack of trust among the political players.  Our electoral system has been a victim of political patronage for years.  ZANU PF has maintained a stranglehold on the electoral system and this has impaired the independence and efficiency of electoral returning officers and the integrity of their offices, leaving Zimbabweans stuck with predetermined electoral outcomes.

A ZPDP government will put a stop to the distortions of our electoral system.  Our government will adopt a hands-off approach to the electoral process and we will put in place an independent electoral supervisory commission whose office bearers are appointed through the involvement and concurrence of all political and civic players to ensure transparency and fairness in our elections.

A ZPDP government will ensure non-political personnel are appointed to the electoral supervisory Commission.  Where politically aligned people are appointed to the electoral supervisory commission, our government will ensure that there is proportionate and fair representation of all political parties on the commission committee.  This will ensure that every party is fully and properly represented and that their grievances will be looked into as fairly and accurately as possible.

 A ZPDP government will ensure that all parties are given fair and uninterrupted campaign time and space.  The use of state media apparatus will be made available to all parties without any pre-conditions.  Any party candidates accused or suspected of violating electoral laws by intimidating opponents will be automatically disqualified where such allegations are substantiated.  Where the outcome of an election is disputed this will be investigated and an outcome determined within a reasonable period of time.

Any political parties and candidates engaging in verifiable acts of violence and destruction to property will be banned from political activities for an indefinite period of time.  Where a party candidate is implicated is such violence the party will be liable to hefty penalties such as loss of parliamentary seats or voting rights in parliament, heavy fines payable with immediate effect and any other determined penalties.

Counting and transportation of electoral ballots will be left to private and impartial personnel who will have no desire to determine the result of the elections.

Please note: More electoral reform proposals are still underway and will be published on our website at www.zpdp.org