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Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa
The pact on electoral reforms, the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) says it is not relenting in the fight for Zimbabwe to have a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital, NERA convener Manyara Irene Muyenziwa of the FORUS party said the coalition wants to ensure the will of the people in elections is safeguarded.
“In response to these challenges, the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) was formed. NERA is a coalition of political parties, civil society organizations, and stakeholders committed to advocating for electoral reforms and ensuring a more transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.
“NERA’s goal is to address the shortcomings and injustices of previous elections, creating an environment where the will of the people is accurately reflected,” Muyenziwa said. She was flanked by some of the principals of NERA including MDC-T leader, Douglas Mwonzora; and LEAD president, Linda Masarira.
She accredited the introduction of biometric voter registration (BVR) to NERA.
“One of NERA’s success stories was the push for the implementation of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system. This system introduced a more technologically advanced and secure method of voter registration, reducing the potential for fraud and ensuring a more accurate voter roll. Despite these achievements, there is still much work to be done to democratize the electoral playing field in Zimbabwe,” Muyenziwa said.
The FORUS leader also called on more stakeholders to join in the fight for electoral reforms.
“I appeal to all citizens, political parties, and stakeholders to actively engage in the electoral process. Let us unite in our efforts to shape a democratic and inclusive society for current and future generations. Our collective participation and commitment to upholding democratic governance will pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous Zimbabwe.
It is crucial to emphasize that NERA is not about individuals; it is about an idea.
“We value ideas over personalities and focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past. NERA serves as a platform for dialogue, where ideas on how to make our elections credible are discussed and nurtured. Every individual who believes they have a role to play in achieving credible elections is welcome to join NERA. Here, our focus is on the idea, not the person pushing it. We urge all political players to put Zimbabwe first and unite in pushing for electoral reforms,” she added.
The electoral pact believes that ‘political parties and their leaders have a collective responsibility to foster non-violence, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law throughout the electoral process. It is through peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue that we can secure the future we aspire to build for our nation’.