Agency: Zimbabwe has no money for referendum

Zimbabwe’s election agency says it does not have money for the constitutional referendum deemed necessary before any fresh polls are held.

President Robert Mugabe says he wants elections held by March next year because a coalition government he formed with his rivals in 2009 has failed to work.

The referendum for the new constitution, now at the drafting stage, must be held before the end of this year if the veteran ruler’s deadline for the polls is to be met.

But the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said it needs over $88 million to bankroll the process.

The money may only become available in January when the government’s new budget cycle begins.

“The referendum needs money as an enabling resource and we are talking of over $88 million for the whole process,” ZEC acting chairperson Joyce Kazembe said.

“As much as we welcome support from various stakeholders, the funding of an election or a referendum is the responsibility of the state.

Vehicles and computers

“We cannot let anyone fund any electoral process because we would be undermining our own sovereignty.”

She said the money was needed to fund preparations, voter education, election materials and conducting the referendum.

The commissioner was speaking during a handover of vehicles and computers to ZEC by UNDP. ZEC had no vehicles before the donation.

“We have never received any vehicle since we were sworn in March last year.

“Commissioners will now be able to be on the ground, seeing the situation for themselves,” Mrs Kazembe said.

President Mugabe had demanded that elections must be held this year but changed mind after it became clear the constitution making would not be completed on time.

His opponents have demanded major reforms before any polls, an issue the 87-year-old leader has tried to sidestep.

South African President Jacob Zuma was appointed by the Southern African Development Community to help the Zimbabwean parties draft a road map to free and fair elections.