18 February 2008

2008 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS –ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS

Prepared by ZESN and CHRA

Zimbabwe will have harmonized elections on 29 March 2008. This mean that registered voters will have four choices to make. Amongst these choices, voters will choose the President, Senator, Member of Parliament and the Councilor of their choice. It is important for voters to know the boundaries of their wards, polling stations as well as the contesting candidates.

What is the role of the Council?

Councils are responsible for the development and maintenance of the local area. This means that they are very important since their decisions and actions affect every person living in the area. Councils must ensure that waste and refuse is collected, water and sewerage systems work, access to health care by residents, construction and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure. The council’s main role is to ensure better livelihood by improving the quality of social service delivery in a professional and non-partisan manner.

Why vote for councilors?

Voting is every citizens` right and responsibility
For democracy to function at a local level
To ensure that the council spends its budget on the needs of the community
So that they carryout residents issues from particular wards for debate at the council meetings
It’s an opportunity for residents to influence local governance policy through their representatives.

Who is a good councilor?

A person willing to serve the community
One who represents all the residents and not just his or her own supporters
A person who fully represents his ward at council meetings
A person who is accountable to the residents in a ward
A person who does not cause division along tribal or racist lines. (it is only through common effort that the community will develop)

You and the councilor

The resident must participate in meetings called by the councilor
The resident must raise issues that the councilor must take to council for debate
The councilor must call for regular meetings with all residents in this or her ward
The councilor must give feedback on issues discussed at council meetings

On the Election Day

Remember that your vote is your secret
That every vote counts
Your vote is your right
Remember to take your identity particulars

Remember to participate peacefully before, during and after the elections

Farai Barnabas Mangodza

Chief Executive Officer

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)