To vote or not to vote in 2005 — that is the dilemma facing many Zimbabweans. While others ponder, as do many political parties, here are six reasons why I will not vote next year if Zimbabwe does not have a new Constitution.
I am tired of protest voting: In 2000 and 2002 I voted against Zanu-PF, and not necessarily for the various opposition parties. Zimbabweans need to vote for coherent alternatives: policies, values, principles and leadership. Some of us have huge ideological problems with the alternatives to the ruling party. I will vote for someone with sound ideological principles on gender, race and class.
Voting does not make a difference: Since we voted against Zanu-PF in 2000 (parliamentary) and 2002 (presidential), what difference has it made? Quite frankly, very little. Yes, we now have new faces and some good debates in Parliament or in local government, and Zanu-PF finally came to grips with how angry most citizens were. Other than a simple change of faces, not a lot else was different after 20 years of independence. We need a lot more change.
Without a new Constitution nothing can change: I am one of the five founder members of the National Constitutional Assembly — the NCA. Our founding principle was constitutional transformation, not mere reform. This imperative remains as valid and as urgent as it was in 1997 when we formed the NCA. It would seem, in our quest for quick change, some of us are satisfied with the cosmetic changes we get from time to time.
Similarly, those without any principled base are happy participating in structures in which they have no capacity to make a difference. While we empathise with the MPs or councillors who fear losing their jobs if we boycott the elections next year, these leaders will be reminded that citizens are not in the business of creating jobs for them.
Neither is it our job as the electorate to hold together political parties that have no glue and resolve to act in effective coalition.
If anything, things have gotten worse. The powers of the executive are unchecked and the powers of the ruling clique also remain intact. The recent sacking of the mayor of Harare by the minister of local government is a good example. Under the Urban Councils Act, the minister has the power to appoint and fire all mayors and councillors.
While many NGOs, donors and well-meaning groups have wined and dined MPs or attempted to build their capacity during endless workshops, the Zimbabwean Parliament does not make decisions. They have no power. This has consistently and systematically been demonstrated time and again. An MP can be thrown in jail on trumped-up charges — several Movement for Democratic Change MPs have been arrested in the past four years.
Laws passed over the past four years, like the Public Order and Security Act, further restrict already emasculated MPs. The public order law requires MPs to get police clearance before they hold any gathering in their constituency. The police have denied the elected Council of Harare City to hold consultative meetings with residents every Wednesday.
So what is the point of electing representatives who have no power to make decisions? Why bother to elect leaders who can be dismissed by President Robert Mugabe, a leader whose electoral victory is still under challenge before the courts? Some of the most powerful ministers in Zimbabwe today were never elected by anybody, but are presidential appointees.
Predetermined results: The current regime is not likely to put in place the Southern African Development Community minimum standards for free and fair elections by next year. Any dimwitted person will know the results of the elections are, in a sense, predetermined.
There will be no informed choice: Given the Broadcasting Services Act and the ruling party’s hold on the national broadcaster, Zimbabweans, particularly those in remote rural areas who depend on radio, will once again go to the polls with very little idea of what anyone else besides Zanu-PF stands for.
I have election fatigue and poll-related stress! Nothing short of a brand-new Constitution will give us a free and fair election in 2005.
Everjoice J Win is a Zimbabwean women’s rights activist