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For the ruling Zanu-PF, as is the case with other governing parties throughout the
world, an important dimension is the sourcing of resources by virtue of being at the
centre of the state.
On Registration of Political Parties in Zimbabwe:
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The ESC report claims that the absence of laws for the registration of political parties
had led to the emergence of “nondescript small parties with little content and no
standing, let alone sustainability”
In addition, the ESC asserts that registration of parties will supposedly defend
national security interests as the state could use the information so availed through
registration to carry out investigations to ascertain the party’s intentions and to weed
out potential saboteurs.
There is no consensus on this proposal with opinion deeply polarised along partisan
lines. Ruling party sympathizers feel this regulation will stop the emergence and
existence of “brief case” political parties whose only purpose is to confuse the
masses.
The two MDC factions counter-argue that the ESC recommendations are not only
unconstitutional but fail to take into account that political parties are voluntary
organizations and that legal requirements will undermine the volunteer character of
parties, and lead to their privatization and bureaucratization. The essence of electoral
democracy, they contend, is that political parties involve individuals and
organizations that are independent of undue control by the state and hence should be
left alone to determine their internal affairs.
Recommendations
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There is nothing inherently wrong with registration of political parties per se but only
if it is done in good faith.
The registration of parties must be done by a strictly impartial and inclusive body of
public-spirited citizens who have no partisan affiliations. Though free political
participation is guaranteed in the Zimbabwe Constitution, no political party may
participate in an election unless it is registered as political party.
Public funding should be provided for registered parties based on a consensually
arrived at formula and only for electoral purposes. The formula must be such that it
discourages the sprouting of ‘one person’, ‘brief-case’ and phantom parties.
Political parties must be able to fund their own operations outside the electoral arena.
Legislation should define what a “registered political party” is, and a definition
appropriate to the Zimbabwe situation which has two partly elective and partly
appointive chambers would have to be worked out.
Legislation will need to be put in place limiting expenditures of parties and
candidates in elections and must define election expenses.
Candidates should be reimbursed for a portion of their electoral costs but only if they
satisfy a defined threshold of votes in their constituency.
A maximum amount of the donation per donor should also be specified.
Legislation must require the disclosure of the names of donors to registered parties
and candidates if the donation is more than a stipulated amount.
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