August 23 a festival of Backsliding and elitism

If an electoral process is inaccessible to the poor then it is far from free or fair . The recent decision of passing exorbitant nomination fees for candidates is one that has deprived the poor majority their right to be voted for . It clearly sets out an elitist and exclusive election. It’s a case of democratic backsliding blindly aimed at financially frustrating opposition. Parliament okayed the unrealistic nomination fees put by ZEC despite facing opposition from citizens. The nomination fees  are US $ 20 000 , US $ 1000 , US$ 200 for presidential , parliamentary , council and party list candidates respectively. 


What is backsliding ?

This is when systems , processes and institutions of a democracy are used to reverse the gains and impede the progression of democracy itself. 

Brutal onslaught on the poor 

Reader the minimum wage for workers in our country is set at US $150 ( NCEAZ, 2023 ) meaning the majority of our people are poor. 50% of our people are living in absolute poverty while the majority are unemployed youth whom among them 52.8% are women( World Bank, 2021) .  These figures bring about an ageist , patriarchal and elitist gap in our society. They reflect the unjust allocation of resources and power in the country under the current ruling elites who control two thirds majority in parliament. The same ruling elites who dominate state institutions and the judiciary. 

Ageism patriarchy and privilege at their best  

As if that’s enough to be a presidential candidate or senator one has to be aged forty years or above meaning the youth who constitute 67.7 % of the population can not lead the country yet they are the ones who suffer most from bad governance and bad leadership of the old guard. To be an Mp one has to be aged 21 years or above . Reader where can a young Zimbabwean aged 21 years (who at most has no working history ) get  a thousand dollars? Only those in privilege will access the electoral process as candidates. After attempts at public interest litigation the court directed the matter to parliament and gave them until 16 June to decide and they approved the decision. Even the Parliament Legal Committee gave an adverse report on the matter . These are the same MPs who received loans of US$40 000 last year . 

Reader also consider the rural peasant class . These are the majority of the population as a whole and in most districts they are found the ruling party wins . These people themselves have been legislated out of the election by this decision. Especially those from Zaka the poorest region in the country. 90% of people in rural district are living in poverty ( World bank ,2022) . Meaning they are living below US$2.50 per day  . These people can’t afford those astronomic  fees in other words they can’t afford to represent themselves in public office. It means urban elites will use their privilege to avail themselves for leadership in these areas. 

Dogs with bones in their mouths ( do not bark ) 

Worrisome is that we have a chiefs council that sits  in senate and with some members active in the ruling party and are silent on this matter. Well I know why , they received 4x4 vehicles not so long ago .  

The irony and contradiction 

The irony is that the two- thirds majority of MPs  who passed the decision is held by the ruling party who’s 2023 mantra is to “leave no one and no place behind”. As I have put it in my gold mafia installation that the current political situation is a class struggle and these events have brought it to light . The elites are using systemic infrastructure to conserve their sovereign power. 

The law is clear 

Section 67 (3)(b) states that every Zimbabwean aged eighteen and above has the right to stand for election, at the same time section 2 (1) states that the constitution is the supreme law of the land and any practice, law or policy which inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of it’s inconsistency. Reader elitism , ageism and gender inequality are practices inconsistent with the constitution hence statutory instrument 144 of 2022 is unconstitutional and invalid . 

Another issue brought to light is the capture of the judiciary by the ruling elites . The courts deferred their duty to protect public interest to parliament which is comprised of politicians who can abuse their law making power for political expediency. 

Weak and compromised 

Reader , this points back to another issue I have always discussed with you . The issue of strong institutions . Institutions are as strong as they appear on the minds of the people occupying them . Their integrity and urgency in promoting public good and public interest can be achived or defeated by bad leaders occupying them. The current judiciary architecture is highly compromised and is full of individuals working to advance the interest of the ruling elites out of their love for silver and gold . Judges were given loans recently and I am sure now they are returning the favor. 

So before we go any further the election is not inclusive and is undemocratic. Even if my favorites win , their competitive legitimacy will be far below the standard . This makes the election open for dispute .

The only way out 

In the mean time, it’s   critical for local and international friends of the movement to give material and financial solidarity to the candidates. In the long term , the situation leaves us with only regime change as a solution. 

Conclusion 

It is now the duty of the revolutionary opposition and social movements to coalesce and collude in pushing the elitist and segregationist regime out .


Liam Takura Kanhenga is a public intellectual and human rights activist. He writes in his own capacity. 

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