Voter education is key to development

By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo (Development Analyst)

Election matters are developmental projects of any nation. That is the reason why every Government sets aside resources to run an election.

For any institution to be legitimate you need the mandate from the people. If one can impose himself or herself on people why then would people waste resources and money to go for an election?

Voters’ education is very crucial especially in countries and institutions which associate themselves with disputable outcomes. There is need for Zimbabwe Election Commission, civic society, church, and other instrumental bodies to come up with strategies to bring voters’ education to the people.

For the past 17years, there has been vote apathy and the main reason was people didn’t see it reasonable for them to vote anymore because of fraudulent accusations and inconclusive elections outcome. We as MINDS are going to embark as a party of civic society countrywide to implement voters’ education so that citizens will know the reasons why they cast their vote.

WHY SHOULD AN INDIVIDUAL VOTE?

This is an important question which many people should ask themselves. Why should one cast his or her vote? It’s very important to take note of such questions. Some will travel for more than 5 kilometres to cast a vote. Is your vote special?

Yes it is because it gives one a chance to speak through a vote. It’s everyone’s right to vote and voters should not be intimidated as this will produce an unfair outcome. There also won’t be integrity in the voting exercise.

One can decide to protest through a vote. A vote is a replacement of violence or demonstrations or other unconstitutional activities which might bring lawlessness in the country. Leaders get mandates from the people, it’s up to the people whether one is eligible to remain in the office or not. In every five years every country must go for elections to vote for a new mandate. Who gives them a mandate? It’s you who votes.

EVERYONE MUST REGISTER TO VOTE

Most people talk from the terraces without exercising their right to vote. My question is who will do the voting for you? Before 2018 everyone must make sure that you are a registered voter so that your choice will be protected. Each and every vote counts and it can bring a significant change.

In 2013 there was voter apathy and people did not vote yet they expected change in the governance systems. It’s a democratic right to vote and you don’t need to plead to anyone for you to vote. One must vote on his own without anyone assisting the process. A vote reflects the will of the person or people which will then turn into a mandate for a certain period agreed in the constitution.

A VOTE SHOULD BE PROTECTED

So many people notably in the rural areas have been given wrong information concerning the voting process. When you vote you do it in privacy without anyone knowing your vote. This issue of intimidating voters should come to an end.

Some people in rural areas will be told that there is a camera watching you, and you need to be careful. There are a number of people who give false information that there are a number of old aged people who can’t vote and they need special assistance.

BIOMETRICAL VOTERS’ SYSTEM

Let me take this opportunity to explain this issue of bio metrical system. People are crying for this system but do they know how it works? Who controls the codes? Who will be in the IT department? In most rural areas there is no electricity and there will be serious fraudulent matters.

My thinking was before you cry out for something, take your time to think of the costs, effects, fundamentals and other challenging related matters. Most people will cry in 2018. Does the Government have enough resources to protect the vote of the voter.

It’s very expensive to protect the vote of the voter so some of these things need proper consideration. The issue is centred on the secretariat which should be disbanded and start the process afresh to look for new commissioners who can conduct their duties independently.

DIASPORA VOTE

This is a crucial vote considering that we have more than 6 million Zimbabweans around the world and these people must vote, I emphasize they must vote. It’s their democratic right to elect a leader of their own choice. What the civic society, churches and individuals must do is to campaign for diaspora vote so that they can participate in this election.

Resources can always be mobilized to conduct this exercise and this should not be an excuse to allow Zimbabweans to exercise their right to elect a leader of their choice. Opposition parties should boycott the election if the diaspora vote is not guaranteed. 

Tinashe E Muzamhindo is the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic organisation that is responsible for policy research and advocacy for Sustainable development through observation of human rights, Gender, public Finance etc. He can be contacted at [email protected]