Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Refuses to Condemn Army General’s Command Voting Remarks
In a shocking move, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has refused to publicly condemn army general Anselem Sanyatwe for suggesting that the military could impose command voting on Zimbabweans. The remarks, made in a video that surfaced on social media earlier this month, have sparked widespread outrage and concerns over the involvement of the army in politics.
Sanyatwe, a high-ranking military official, told Zanu PF supporters that the ruling party will govern “until donkeys grow horns,” implying that the army would ensure the party maintains power through command voting. The opposition has been urging the government to demilitarize institutions like ZEC, which they argue are staffed by army personnel to influence elections in favor of the ruling party.
Lawyer Thabani Mpofu wrote to ZEC demanding that chairperson Priscilla Chigumba refute Sanyatwe’s remarks, which he argues are unconstitutional. However, ZEC Chief Election Officer Utoile Silaigwana responded by saying the matter does not fall under its purview, advising Mpofu to approach the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) instead.
According to Silaigwana, the core function of ZEC is election management, and the investigation and prosecution of electoral offenses created by the law do not fall within its remit. The investigation functions are constitutionally allocated to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, while the power to institute criminal procedures lies with the National Prosecuting Authority.
The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process. The Zimbabwean government has been accused of using the military to intimidate and silence opposition voices, and the opposition has called for the demilitarization of institutions like ZEC.
The controversy has raised concerns over the integrity of the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, with many observers worried that the government will use its power to manipulate the outcome. The international community is closely watching the situation, and the United States and other Western countries have expressed concerns over the government’s human rights record and its handling of the electoral process.
