This is the second issue of the MAZ/CHRA Rightto Information campaign newsletter that looks atkey election issues. MAZ and CHRA believe verystrongly that the credibility of any election lieslargely on the ability of the election commissionand various stakeholders to provide criticalinformation about the electoral process. For theelection commission the choice is limited, they areobligated by law to proactively provide the publicwith objective voter information at various stagesof the election in fulfilment of the right toinformation.

In this issue our lead story will look at funding forthe 2013 General Election. The Right to Informationcampaign is premised on the principle that thepublic has a right to information held by publicbodies; therefore the public has a right to knowamong other issues on elections, how public moneyis spent on elections. A survey carried out by CHRAand MAZ indicated that only 6% of respondentsknow the budgets and expenditures of theZimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the bodythat is charged with the mandate to run elections.Provision of information to the public would ensurethat those who are running elections do so in atransparent and accountable manner and deliverthe best value to the electorate, who are in essencefunding the election.

Important questions that have been raised aheadof the 31 July election are whether ZEC hasadequate resources to effectively deliver a credibleelection as well as what the sources of funding forthe election are. The importance of adequateresourcing of election administration has beennoted by various bodies in different fora. The UNGeneral Assembly Resolution 66/163 of 2012 onStrengthening the role of the United Nationsin enhancing periodic and genuine electionsand the promotion of democratization forexample notes “the importance of adequateresources for the administration of efficient andtransparent elections at the national and locallevels, and recommends that Member States provideadequate resources for these elections, includingto consider establishing internal fundingwhere feasible.”

The newsletter will also look at key informationissues in the electoral period and what informationvoter’s need to know before they cast their ballots.We also feature a diagrammatic representation ofhow individual votes will be tabulated, courtesy ofthe ZEC website.

Lastly, we would like to acknowledge theoverwhelming response that we received for thefirst edition of the Right to Information newsletterthat featured the five Presidential candidates. Inaddition we would like to thank you all, our partnersand friends for the support to this newsletter. Wehope this second edition will increase knowledgeand information on key election related concerns.

WHERE IS THEMONEY FORELECTIONS?

I S S U E 2

E D I T O R ’ S N O T E

HOW MUCHWILL THISELECTION

As Zimbabwe falters towards the watershed electionsscheduled for 31 July 2013 fundamental questions onthe ability of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission todeliver a credible, free and fair election, considering theunder-resourcing of the commission remain. One of thefundamental questions is how much will this electionactually cost. While there is information on the generalamount that the election will cost, there is no clearbreakdown of what the election will cost. We try and gofurther than just the global figures and give a deeperunderstanding of the costs associated with the 2013general elections. Our hope is that this will not only allowfor access to critical information on the money associatedwith the election but ensure greater accountability by theelectoral commission and other bodies involved in elections.

The estimated cost to run the election in Zimbabwe hasbeen publicly talked about with ZEC announcing that itwill require an estimated US$132 million to effectivelyrun the June 31 election. Less than a week beforeharmonised elections to be held on Wednesday 31 July2013, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announcedthat they have received US$58 million for elections, lessthan half the requested amount to run the election.However, this is against projections by ZEC that it wouldrequire US$107.4 million two weeks before polling, toensure adequate planning to run a free, fair andcredible election.

The bar graph below on the cost of the general election2013 and the pie chart on the estimates of expendituresshow the estimated allocation of costs for the 31 Julyelection. The biggest expense as noted is the cost of theactual conduct of the election, followed by the combinedcost of voter education. Specific elements are brokendown as follows:

CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION The biggest expense in the election budget will be forthe actual conduct of the election which will gobble up39% of the budget. This exercise will cost close to US$48million covering personnel costs for the people who willconduct the actual voting.

• Polling officers – Estimated total cost for polling officers was set in the budget at US$27 million to pay 85,500 polling officers. Travel and Subsistence (T and S) rates for personnel is based on current rates of USD55 with fees set at USD15 per day. Polling officers will be drawn mainly from the civil service, Health Services Board, parastatals and localauthorities.

• Presiding officers – The ZEC budget sets the numberof presiding officers at 9,500 and the cost of retaining the presiding officers at USD4.2 million. The T and S rates for the officers is set at USD55 and daily fee per day at USD20.

Other costs for the conduct of elections will be around2.6 million for the drivers, 1.5 million for the constituencycommand members and 6.5 million for the ward commandsupport staff.

COST OF SPECIAL VOTEThe much talked about special vote exercise was estimatedby ZEC to cost US$6 million, therefore taking up 5% ofthe total elections budget. The Sunday Mail on 14 Julyreported that ZEC received US$11 million for the specialvoting exercise which would mean that the electionsbody received a significantly larger sum for this exercisethan its original budget estimates.

ELECTION MATERIALSThe total cost of election materials for the elections isestimated to be US$8.5 million. Of the election materialsneeded for the election, media reports indicate that bythe 25th of July, ZEC had completed printing of ballotpapers and purchasing of indelible ink. The costs of someof the materials are as follows:

• Ballot paper – US$1.9 million (Media reports claim that ZEC printed 8 million ballot papers to service the 6.4 million registered voters)

• Seal strap – US$1.7 million• Indelible ink – US$900 000• Ball point pens – US$47,500• Badges – US$95,000

NOMINATION COURT COSTS

The Sunday Mail reported that ZEC received US$2.5million for the sitting of the nomination court against abudget estimate of US$1.5 million.

VOTER EDUCATION

Total budgeted cost for voter education was set at US$23million with US$11.4 million set for the voter inspectionperiod and US$11.4 million set for specific voter education

CONCLUSION

Funding for elections is an important factor in ensuringconfidence of the citizens in the ability of the electoralcommission to run the election. The Centre for Law anddemocracy observes that, “confidence in elections depends,in very important ways, on confidence in the body whichis responsible for organising and overseeing the election.If there is a sense that the body is incompetent, politicallybiased, under--?resourced, corrupt, unable to take onpowerful actors who are trying to subvert the election,or otherwise unable to run the election in a way thatensures that it is free and fair, with all that implies, thisis likely to significantly undermine public confidence inthe election and its results.”

HOW MUCH WILL THISELECTION COST?

Total cost of the2013 election

USD133.8 million(Source: 2013 National Budget Statement, Hon. Tendai Biti,

Minister of Finance, 15 November 2012)

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It remains a mystery where the money to fund electionsin Zimbabwe is actually coming from. The Ministry ofFinance had indicated that Treasury, which budgetedUS$25million for the election against the estimated needof US$132 million, is unable to fund the election at thelevels proposed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.However, by the 25th of July, the Minister of Financeindicated that funding for elections has been securedbringing the money disbursed to ZEC at US$96 million.The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)pulled its offer for funding following the rejection by thegovernment of a UNDP electoral assessment mission toZimbabwe. Frantic measures by a cabinet committeecomprising Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara,Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Finance MinisterTendai Biti failed to secure adequate funding for theelections. Media reports indicate that Zimbabwe hadapproached external sources including SADC, andindividual countries in the region for funding, but effortshave not achieved anything to date.

Several sources of funding have been mooted for theelection, but how much has been raised from the differentlocal sources remains a matter of conjecture. The followingstatements have been made regarding sources for electionfunding:

ZIMBABWE TREASURY

“We are working on a budget of $130 million.We do not have this money at all. We have beendoing a number of things and we are trying toengage the international community to raisethis money. We funded the voter registrationprocess and the nomination court on our own,but we still require funds to hold the election,”Tendai Biti, Quoted in the Newsday, 4 July 2013, “Still no moneyfor Zimbabwe polls: Biti”

CHIADZWA DIAMONDS

“PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and the topbrass of the Joint Operations Command (Joc)have ordered private auctioning of the Chiadzwadiamonds to raise money for general elections “Zimbabwe Election funding dilemma persists”, ZimbabweIndependent, 28 June 2013,

TAX?

“We don’t have the money and we can’t borrow.The market was crowded out by the US$40mthat we borrowed for the referendum...I don’twant to increase taxes. l refuse to increase thetaxes because it would just burden the economywhich is already suffering under the weight ofthe uncertainty of elections.”Tendai Biti, “Zim Finance Minister demands ‘ZANU-PF’ diamondmoney for elections”, on Free and Fair Zimbabwe Election, 10July 2013, http://zimbabweelection.com/2013/07/10/zim-finance-minister-demands-zanu-pf-diamond-money-for-elections/

FUEL PRICE HIKE

“Biti said the increase in duty for fuel is amonga cocktail of measures that the coalitiongovernment, which has so far raised $31,5million for the referendum, has put in place toensure polls are held, most likely in July, despitedepleted government coffers. Biti saidgovernment increased excise duty on fuel becauseZimbabwe had the cheapest prices in southernAfrica.“It has also been unavoidable that governmentseeks recourse from the ordinary taxpayer. “Hence, excise duty on diesel and petrol is beingreviewed upwards to the following levels for theperiod March to December 2013,” said Biti inhis state of the economy report for February.“Fuel price hiked”, 12 March 2013, The Daily News,http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2013/03/12/fuel-price-hiked

POTHOLES AND ELECTIONS

“THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE hadto raid the Zimbabwe National Road Authority's(Zinara) bank account to fund the voterregistration exercise, the MDC leader confirmedyesterday.

Welshman Ncube said the government took $25million from Zinara, with the money being usedfor the on-going voter registration exercise,

raising fears that more parastatals could beraided to raise money for elections

"That money, $25 million, should never havebeen used for voter registration," he said, addingthat the money was asked for through theTransport ministry.“ Zimbabwe raids road agency bank account to fund elections”26 June 2013, http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-32209.html

OLD MUTUAL AND NSSA BANKROLLEDREFERENDUM

“The government said it has raised $40 millionby borrowing from Old Mutual and the NationalSocial Security Authority (NSSA) to help fundthis Saturday’s referendum. Finance ministerTendai Biti said on Monday they were able toraise the funds through a “voluntary bond”sold to Old Mutual Plc’s local unit and NSSA.”“Government borrows from Old Mutual and NSSA to fundreferendum”, Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa, 12 March 2013,http://www.swradioafrica.com/2013/03/12/government-borrows-from-old-mutual-and-nssa-to-fund-referendum/

WHERE IS THEMONEY FORELECTIONS?

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2013/06/28/zimbabwe-elections-funding-dilemma-persists/

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In a survey carried out by MAZ and CHRA onaccess to voter information, 83% of respondentsindicated that they know how to vote and theprocess on how to vote. The Zimbabwe ElectoralCommission has represented the process in adiagram below.

Give yourself mentalpractice on what willhappen in the pollingstation on 31 July2013The voter who votes at an ordinary polling stationwill be processed according to the followingsteps:

&WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR VOTE...&WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN

THE POLLING STATION?

POLLING POLLING POLLING POLLING

WARD COLLATION

Collates polling station results for President, National Assembly and Ward addingin special and postal votes which will be counted at Wards

Announces outcome of Council elections in ward and transmits collations forPresidential and National Assembly

PRESIDENTIALCONSTITUENCY

PROVINCIALCOMMAND

NATIONALCOMMAND

NATIONALASSEMBY

TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS

POLLING

WARD COLLATION

Collates polling station results for National Assembly and transmits duplicatecopies of polling station returns to National Command Centre

NATIONALASSEMBLY

PROVINCIALCOMMAND

NATIONALCOMMAND CENTRE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Collates ward returns and transmits these toProvincial Command Centre and also transmitduplicate copies of National Assembly Constituency

Transmits duplicate copies ofNational Assemblyconstituency returns to NationalCommand Centre

POLLING POLLING POLLING

POLLING

WARD

Collates polling station results for National Assembly election andtransmits duplicate copies of polling station returns to National

NATIONALCOMMAND

LOCAL

POLLING POLLING POLLING

Adapted from www.zec.gov.zw

WHAT WILL HAPPEN INTHE POLLING STATION?

1. Voter enters polling station.2. Voter presents ID and polling officer

checks that voter is on voters roll for that ward.

3. Polling officer issues ballot papers.4. Polling officer marks finger with ink.5. Voter goes to ballot booth where he or

she marks ballots.6. Voter deposits ballots in respective

ballot boxes.7. Voter exits polling station. Diagram 1 illustrates the basic layout of thepolling station and the arrows show how thevoter proceeds through the different stages.

Diagram 2 shows the transmission of resultsfrom the polling stations to the NationalCommand Centre.

POLICEOFFICER

POLICEOFFICER

ENTRANCE

USHER

OBSERVERS

ELECTIONAGENTS

VOTERSQUEUE INSINGLELINE VOTERS

ROLLCHECK

BALLOTPAPER

BALLOTPAPER

BALLOTPAPER

Presidential NationalAssembly

LocalGovernment

INKMARKING

OFFINGER

OVERSEER

POLLINGBOOTH

POLLINGBOOTH

POLLINGBOOTH

Ballot boxes

PresidentialElection

NationalAssemblyElection

LocalGovernmentElection

ELECTORALOFFICER TOCHECK DISPLAYOF OFFICIALSTAMP

PRESIDINGOFFICER

ELECTION OFFICERDEALING WITHRECORDINGS

Exit

Queries

DIAGRAM 1

POLLING

WARD COLLATION

Collates polling station results for Presidential election and transmits duplicatecopies of polling station returns to National Command Centre

PRESIDENTIALCONSTITUENCY

PROVINCIALCOMMAND

NATIONALCOMMAND

PRESIDENTIAL

Collates ward returns and transmits these toProvincial Command Centre and transmit duplicatecopies of presidential Centre returns to NationalCommand

Collates presidential constituencyreturns and transmits to NationalCommand Centre together withduplicate Copies of presidentialCentre returns Collates provincial returns and

reconciles with polling

POLLING POLLING POLLING

DIAGRAM 2

4 5

The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) in partnershipwith the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)are undertaking activities under the right to informationcampaign, a broad platform to empower citizens todemand transparency and accountability fromgovernment and its various agencies. A policy documentproduced by CHRA and MAZ focusing on access toinformation and the election period identified criticalinformation needs for citizens during the run-up to the2013 General elections. The critical information needsare summarised in the following write-up.

MAZ and CHRA are driven by an understanding that,“ensuring a free flow of information in relation toelections involves many actors and many differentinformation systems. Parties themselves, driven by self--?interest in their desire to win the election, are a keypart of the wider system of information dissemination.The media are also a key player, serving as the mainsource of information about elections for many citizens.Civil society organisations also often play a key role,for example by delivering voter education programmes,monitoring different election processes anddisseminating the results, and providing alternativeanalyses and perspectives on the election”.

There are generally four critical stages in the electionperiod, which are, the Nomination of candidates,campaigning, voting and the results management. Interms of the law in Zimbabwe1 the official electionperiod begins at least a minimum of 30 days beforean election. The official election period thus beginswith the sitting of the nomination court. In the instanceof the July 31 2013 General elections the electionperiod began on Friday 28 June 2013 when theNomination court sat. This is followed with campaigningby political parties, the voting process andannouncement of results. In terms of the law as currentlyconstituted results2 must be announced within a periodof five days after close of polling.

The election period is perhaps the busiest part of theelection cycle and very often election stakeholders tendto concentrate on this part of the cycle. It is importantto note that in this election cycle Zimbabwe experienceda bungling of the process as activities that normallyfall within the pre-election period are encroaching intothe election season and thus leading to fundamentalviolation of voters rights, logistical problems for theelection commission and thus casting doubt on thecredibility of the election. For example voter registrationstrayed into the election period while nomination of

candidates was done on the 28th of June some twoweeks before close of voter registration. The objectiveof this section is to critically examine each activitywithin the election period and identify the relevantaccess to information issues.

1.1 Nomination of candidates

The sitting of the nomination court and confirmationof candidates signals the beginning of the officialelection period. As indicated above, this process beganon the 28th of June 2013 and in terms of the law itmust be at least 30 days before the actual date ofpolling. It is in the interest of both the citizens andelectoral candidates that more time is given between

the nomination court and polling date. There arebasically three issues on access to information relatedto the nomination of candidates. These relate to theinformation on candidates, information on proceduresfor nomination and information on nominationcourt venues.

1.1.1 Information on Candidates

In order for citizens to effectively exercise their rightto political participation electoral management bodiesmust take measures to ensure that they have adequateinformation about candidates. This is why it is crucialfor the nomination court to sit and confirm candidateswhile there is adequate time for effective votereducation. While ZEC published the list of candidates

THE ELECTION PERIOD ANDACCESS TO INFORMATION

1 See Electoral act (Chapter 2:13)2 This is provided in for the new constitution as adopted in March 2013.

Picture taken from- http://www.idea.int/elections/eea/images/Electoral-cycle.png

THE ELECTORAL CYCLE

THE ELECTION PERIOD ANDACCESS TO INFORMATION

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duly nominated by the court in the media there is littleinformation outside the media that is accessible tocitizens on the contesting candidates. In a surveyconducted by MAZ and CHRA it was observed that68% of citizens had knowledge of the candidates thatwere contesting in the elections however, they onlyknew candidates from their parties. This shows thelimitations in political party campaigning were politicalparties will present themselves to known supportersbut not the majority of citizens, therefore limitingelectoral choices by citizens. Identifying information forpolitical parties, such as party symbols and colours arealso very important considering that there will be 28political parties will contest the 31 July election.

1.1.2 Information on the proceduresfor nomination

Candidates from political parties must be given adequateinformation on the various steps and procedures theyhave to follow to in order to qualify to becomecandidates. Further, deadlines for the registeringauthority to approve or reject registration requestsshould be defined. In the nomination process, sixcandidates were disqualified from the Presidential race,however there have been no clear reasons released onwhy this was so.

1.1.3 Information on Nominationcourt centres

There is need for the nomination courts to be publiclyknown and accessible to all contesting candidates. Thedates for the sitting of the nomination court must alsobe publicly available to all parties, candidates andcitizens wishing to monitor the process.

1.2 Campaigning

This is a very crucial stage of the electoral process andmany legal regimes provide adequate timeframes forthis stage. Providing voters with information on theelectoral process, political parties and their manifestosand candidates are critical to enable them cast anenlightened and informed vote. The law must make itpossible for political parties to be able to sell theirpolicies to the electorate. Similarly, the public media

must provide equal opportunities for political partiesto market themselves. If voters do not know about theparties and candidates and their proposals andplatforms, they will not be able to exercise their electoralchoices effectively, and the results will not representtheir free will. Political parties and electoral commissionsmust also provide adequate information on partysymbols and colours so that voters make the rightchoices. During this stage the Zimbabwe electioncommission is mandated to provide objective electoralinformation.

1.3 Voting

Unless citizens understand basic aspects of the votingprocess their vote will be meaningless and they will beunable to exercise their right to political participation.The ZEC must take considerable steps to ensure thatcitizens are aware of where, when and how to vote.In a Survey carried out by MAZ and CHRA 83% ofcitizens revealed that they were aware of how to votebased on knowledge from past elections. Coupled withthat, 88% said they knew what documents they neededto vote. These figures are impressive but consideringthat there is a huge influx of first time voters and achange in the electoral system in Zimbabwe, the ZECmust be proactive in educating citizens on how to vote.In 2008 a total 39 975 votes were recorded as spoilt.If the commission does not take clear steps on educatingcitizens on how to vote this number may well increase.The election commission must educate citizens on howthe ballot paper will look like and the various stepsone needs to take while in the polling station consideringthat the 2013 poll is a harmonised election composedof the presidential, senate, parliament and localgovernment levels.

The law in Zimbabwe provides that ZEC must publisha list of polling stations at least three weeks before anelection, with the final list to be published three daysbefore polling day. ZEC has complied with this regulationalthough there are concerns about the number ofpolling stations in urban areas. In a survey carried outby ZESN it was noted that on average some urbancentres had over 1000 voters per polling station whilemost rural polling stations had less than 450 voters toattend to. Further, the law provides that all voters mustvote within their wards. This is critical information thatZEC must convey to citizens to avoid needless

disappointments of voters. Similarly voters must knowabout the times they need to vote. In the 2013 generalelection citizens will be given time to exercise theirright vote between 7am and 7pm. It is important thatall citizens know that they must vote during thesetimes or at least to be in the queue at 7pm on the dayof polling.

“It is also important for voters tounderstand the wider systemiccharacteristics of the voting system, inorder to properly understand andcontextualise their democraticexpression and the way their vote willcount. This should include informationon whether seats are awarded byproportional representation or througha first-past-the –post system, and otherrelevant details” (Centre for Law and Democracy)

Experience in other countries demonstrates that themost effective way to educate citizens on the abovetechnical process of the election is through face to faceinteractions. While this is an expensive process MAZand CHRA believe that it is a worthwhile investmentinto the democratic development of Zimbabwe.

1.4 Results

“We do not want a repeat of 2008 wherethe election Commission literallyrefused to announce results for onemonth” Morgan Tsvangirai

Timely announcement and certification of results areat the heart of any election. It must be noted however,that, “in executing this duty properly, electioncommissions (ZEC) must balance the need forexpediency with the fundamental importance ofaccuracy”. It is important that the ZEC providesinformation to citizens and stakeholders on the collation,tabulation, transmission and announcement of results.The ZEC must at best ensure that all this informationis available before the date of poll as part of enhancingconfidence in the electoral process and in the abilityof the commission to be transparent and accountable.

Citizens are unlikely to come out in their numbers andvote if there is a feeling that their vote is not secureor if they do not understand how their votes will becollated and ultimately a true result announced. Thisis exacerbated by the fears of 2008 where the electioncommission did not announce the results for over threeweeks. The law in Zimbabwe now provides for electionresults to be announced at least five days after closeof polling.

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24 July 2013

As Zimbabwe falters towards the 31 July elections, a free,independent, diverse media remains elusive despite beingan important ingredient in ensuring a credible, free andfair election. The lack of political will to institute mediareforms following commitments in the Global PoliticalAgreement (GPA) in 2008 and the subsequent roadmapin 2011 has limited media freedom, diversity and accessto relevant information on elections by Zimbabweans.

Agreed media reform priorities included the repeal ofrepressive legislation, the reconstitution of the ZimbabweMass Media Trust (ZMMT), Broadcasting Authority ofZimbabwe (BAZ) and the Zimbabwe BroadcastingCorporation (ZBC) boards, an unwavering commitmentto self-regulation, access to public information, genuineopening up of the airwaves and a non-partisan publicservice media.

To date, Zimbabwe has seen cosmetic media reformswith the licensing of print media publications and 2commercial radio broadcasters, however these areundermined by the continued existence of repressive lawson the media such as the Access to Information andProtection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), sections of the CriminalLaw (Codification and Reform) Act (on defamation andinsult), the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), Censorshipand Entertainment Controls Act, Interception ofCommunications Act, and Official Secrets Act. In addition,the inclusive government’s failure to re-constitute theZimbabwe Mass Media Trust and the boards of theZimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and BroadcastingAuthority of Zimbabwe has resulted in continued politicalinterference with the editorial independence of the state-controlled Zimpapers and the ZBC, which has heightenedas the country entered the electoral period.

This is why media reform was high on the agenda of theSADC Special Summit on Zimbabwe held in Maputo on15 June 2013. The facilitator’s report adopted by theSummit noted the need for a conducive playing field inthe media to ensure a free and fair election. The reportrecommended the setting up of an Inter-Ministerialcommittee from the three parties to the GPA to monitorand take action on hate speech by the media, as well asto intervene to ensure the state media maintains animpartial stance during elections, recommendations thathave not been taken up.

MAZ is concerned with the non-conducive broader mediaenvironment characterised by bias and intolerance bysome sections of the media, violations against mediapersonnel in the course of their duties, limited monitoringof media houses against set standards and codes ofconduct by relevant authorities; compounded by thecontinued existence of repressive media legislation.

The responsibility and role of the Zimbabwe BroadcastingCorporation (ZBC), Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster andsole local television station becomes even more importantat this crucial time in the country’s history. As a statebroadcaster serving the interests of the public at largethe role of ZBC is to ensure that voters are able to makean informed choice by providing fair, balanced, accurateand objective coverage of candidates, parties and allrelated electoral processes. The new Constitution passedearlier this year provides guidance as Section 61 (4) statesthat All State-owned media of communication must-

(a) be free to determine independently the editorial content of their broadcasts or other communications;

(b) be impartial; and(c) afford fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent

views and dissenting opinions.

MAZ is therefore concerned by the blatant bias by theZBC, firstly by reporters wearing party regalia whilereporting to the nation. Secondly, monitoring reports bythe Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) havenoted a continued trend of positive reporting for ZANUPF and persistent negative reports for the MDC T. Aworrying trend in the last few weeks has also been thelack of clarity and monitoring of political advertising onthe ZBC, where adverts mocking and discrediting thePrime Minister are aired on television and radio. Theadverts are however not clearly identified as adverts, norindicate who placed the adverts as such going againstClause 160H (1) (c) of the Electoral Act that states thatevery advert should be clearly identified as such. (MMPZReport “Eye on ZBC” - June 2013)

MAZ is also worried by the increase in cases of assaultand harassment of journalists following the proclamationof the 31 July elections and MISA Zimbabwe has recordedin the first six months of 2013, 58% of cases recordedin 2011.

Cases recorded have included:• The brutal attack and hospitalisation of Chinhoyi-

based journalist Paul Pindai on 14 June by unknownassailants;

• The assault of Zimbabwe Independent reporterHerbert Moyo;

• The harassment and detention of The Chronicle reporter Mashudu Netsiada by MDC-TSecurity Personnel

• The harassment and detention at ZANU PF headquarters of Daily News and Newsday reporters, Wendy Muperi and Wongai Masvingise bythe party’s security personnel on 21 June

The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe urges the Zimbabwegovernment, and SADC as the guarantors of the GPAand by extension this election, to urge the government

of Zimbabwe to abide by the 2004 SADC Principles andGuidelines Governing Democratic Elections to allowfreedom of expression, as well as access to the mediaby stakeholders during electoral processes.

Specifically, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe calls on:

• The Government of Zimbabwe to guarantee the safetyof journalists and media workers covering electionsand allow them to conduct their lawful professionalduties without hindrance as it is their constitutionallyguaranteed right to do so

• Leaders of political parties to educate their supporterson the need to safeguard freedom of expression andthe media and issue strong statements against partymembers who perpetrate acts of violence/harassmentagainst the media

• The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to enforce theSADC Principles on the Conduct of Democratic Elections, and the Electoral Act’s provisions on equitable access to the public broadcasting media, political advertising in broadcasting and print media,publication of electoral information in the public interest, the conduct of the news media during elections and the respect of media and journalists by political parties

• ZEC to effectively monitor and publicise its monitoringmechanisms to ensure adherence to provisions laidout in the Electoral Act as well as its Media Coverageof Elections regulations by political parties, candidates,and the media

• ZEC to monitor the state media rigorously and ensurethat it plays its role as spelt out in the new constitution.

• ZEC to raise awareness on the media code of conductfor covering elections

About the Media Alliance of ZimbabweThe Media Alliance of Zimbabwe is a partnership of mediaadvocacy and representative groups in Zimbabwe workingtowards defending freedom of expression and freedomof the media. Since its formation, MAZ has beenadvocating for media law and policy reform, to ensurea free, fair, independent and pluralistic media.

Members of the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe are:• Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe

Chapter• Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ)• Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum (ZINEF)• Federation of African Media Women Zimbabwe

(FAMWZ)• Africa Community Publishing Development

Trust (ACPDT)

STATEMENT ON THE STATE OF THE MEDIA AHEAD OF THE 31 JULYHARMONISED ELECTIONS BY THE MEDIA ALLIANCE OF ZIMBABWESTATEMENT ON THE STATE OF THE MEDIA AHEAD OF THE 31 JULY

HARMONISED ELECTIONS BY THE MEDIA ALLIANCE OF ZIMBABWE

Webs i te : www.maz.org .zw, Emai l : maz@misaz im.co.zw

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