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Masvingo Bureau
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is taking measures to ensure expeditious alignment of electoral laws with the constitution.

ZEC chief elections officer Mr Utloile Silaigwana recently said the electoral body was making concerted efforts to ensure full alignment of electoral laws with the constitution.

“ZEC is currently working flat out to ensure that all electoral laws are aligned with government policies and the constitution of the land,” he said.

“One of the laws which needs urgent alignment with the current constitution and government policy is Statutory Instrument 89 of 2013 on accreditation fees for observers.”

“Apparently, ZEC is currently pushing for amendment of SI 89 of 2013 so that it resonates well with provisions of the constitution.

“We have since received complaints that ZEC was charging US$10 for accreditation fees of civil society organisations which observed the just-ended by-elections in Ward 31 Bikita East and Ward 26 Nyanga.

“We are not charging accreditation fees in US dollars, but in Zimbabwe dollars at the interbank rate equivalent to US$10. We are taking measures to ensure that SI 89 of 2013 is aligned with Government policy on legal tender and the constitution of Zimbabwe.”

Mr Silaigwana said ZEC, which is one of the independent commissions, was mandated to promote free, fair and peaceful polls in the country.

“ZEC is working hard to ensure that the Electoral Act and many other electoral laws are harmonised with the constitution as a guarantee for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections,” he said.

Mr Silaigwana thanked the public for demonstrating peace during the recent ward by-elections in Bikita and Nyanga.