Hey guys! I caught up with one of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Chairpersons’ or better put; I spoke the very sassy, religiously Catholic, well spoken Laetitia Kazembe who’s been doing this Electoral stuff for a good 12years(i.e. since the dark ages, in a good way though!).
Ironically in light of the virtual and actual chit chat about the elections I asked her some questions in an effort to make her the least bit comfortable, which she sailed through without a batting of her well mascara-d eyelid dodging the typical political mix and matching as she went. Long and short of the conversation here’s stuff you may or may not know, that is to sa if you know it vaguely good on you! If you don’t even better! If you do, read it anyway!
As we conversed about the Electoral elephants in the room, Mrs Kazembe was adamant the younger cool, or un-cool kids (younger generation(s)) were excited and more proactive in the voting process than most think, myself included. She noted this was clear in the nature of turnout and age groups coming to the Registration Centres littered around the country. However she did throw us some punches, pointing out the ‘youths’ tendency for taking the Right to Vote for granted; citing pure ignorance of the struggles experienced by our liberator’s as the cause, that and a lack of Civic Education, which the ZEC intends to include in school curriculums (OH OH! Looks like we skipped a few classes, too many!).
For what it is worth I have always thought many of us Zimbabweans have tendencies of maintaining passive aggressive states of mind: a WHOLE lot to complain about, thorough social, economic and political observations and yet minimum hands-on solution provision. (That’s just me Steph-ing out loud)
In that light, Mrs Kazembe further pointed out the responsibility we each had to exercise Zimbabwean rights to Register and to Vote rather than sit on our...hands, moaning and groaning about everything, which (I repeat), we can really be good at!
Naturally, the issue of limited funding was raised; Mrs. Kazembe stressed ZEC’s intent to meet its immense list of tasks however the financial aspect has been a strong barrier. Thanks to the UNDP’s facilitation and the government’s permission however and other organisations such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) and the Dutch Embassy that have been awfully generous; ZEC has managed to get up and running. Even the EU has helped out people, “they are really interested that the election process becomes free fair and credible” said Mrs Kazembe. (They and we included!)
When I questioned the independence and possible conflict of interest between ZEC and its ‘donors’; she made it clear that the donations were based on a ‘no strings attached’ basis and ZEC’s independence is rooted in the constitution, citing that there would be ‘no deal’ once lines between donations and political influence were blurred.
On the subject of Registration she emphasized our options for the sticky ‘Proof of Registration’ issue:
v Bring either your old lady or man with a random utility Bill of your choice
v Bring your landlord along
v Ask one of your better organized mates to write you a letter proving you’re not a country hopping gypsy
v Fill in an affidavit at a Registration Centre of your choice, stating where you live then swear on it!
To be honest this sounded a whole easier than I thought it was!
Bad news for the Diasporans I’m afraid, Madam Laetitia made it crystal that zero provision had been made for them seeing as their condition is errm... NOT covered in the Constitution unless of course you’re an Ambassador’s something, a soldier, an officer of the etc. on State business then hey you can just mail your vote! (psssh! Simple!)
For information about everything ZEC related check out their website here, there you can find a snazzy list of the Registration centres (If you are like me yet to register!). If not don’t be a cheap skate buy a Newspaper its (ZEC) all over them. Register and Vote guys, while you’re at it try not carry machetes, throw rocks or chant insults; ‘One Love’. #TSKC
