Forty three years ago Zimbabwe emerged from British colonial rule amid optimism that the country will be a shining beacon for democracy in Africa.
Zanu PF, a political party that also led the fight for independence alongside Zapu, has ruled the country since independence.
Since then elections have been held religiously every five years.
Zanu PF has consistently won each election through various means, both foul and fair, and this has led to the narrative that Zimbabwe is far from being a democracy that was envisaged at independence.
Unlike other countries in the region, Zimbabwe’s ruling party has, since independence, regarded and treated opposition parties and activists as enemies of the state as they block them from exercising their democratic rights.
Some events that always occur whenever Zimbabwe is heading for the general elections place the country in the spotlight for human rights defenders and election watchdogs.
It’s never a fair level playing field when it comes to elections. As George Orwell said in Animal Farm, “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”
Zanu PF does not appear ashamed to be presiding over such inequality.
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It shows the hypocrisy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, which proclaims that Zimbabwean citizens are equal, but gives power and privileges to a small elite and one political party.
Early last month, 26 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists were arrested in Budiriro for allegedly convening illegally.
Two weeks later four “notices” to hold rallies by the same party were rejected by the police who claimed that the notices did not meet provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Mopa).
CCC must, however, develop more channels to make sure that they come together and get ready for the upcoming 2023 elections.
It's been a bad and scary start to 2023 for the main opposition in Zimbabwe with suppression of its campaign activities, jailing of activists or unexplained arrests being reported in the first month of the year.
This is happening at a time when democracy and freedom of speech are on the rebound in many parts of the continent.
In 2017, Mnangagwa promised that his administration would deliver a new democratic Zimbabwe that respects human rights.
Although Mnangagwa promised improvements in the country’s governance, he is lagging behind in implementing reforms that promote democracy.
His administration has a worse track record than that of the late former president Robert Mugabe when it comes to suppressing civic space before elections.
Following the military takeover that removed Mugabe in November 2017, Mnangagwa ascended to power and has since maintained a tough posture to solidify control.
The opposition has faced a tough space since the time of late Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.
Among the most significant changes since 2017 are political appointments and initiatives that strengthen Zanu PF militarisation in order to support Mnangagwa's hold on power.
A European Union Election Follow-up Mission was sent to Zimbabwe last year to review the state of the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) of 2018 and to discuss how to advance the cause of democracy in advance of the elections in 2023.
Elmar Brok, a former member of the European Parliament and chief observer for the EU EOM of the 2018 Harmonised Elections in Zimbabwe, served as the mission's leader.
In order to minimise ambiguity and give enough time for implementation and voter education, they strongly encouraged all political parties to engage in good faith to reform the electoral statute long before the 2023 elections, in conjunction with civil society.
The forthcoming elections will certainly provide a stern test for the ‘second republic’ to prove that it is walking its talk to democratise Zimbabwe after the four decades of authoritarian rule by Mugabe.
The banning of rallies and the violence against opposition supporters casts Zimbabwe in a very bad light and those that claim to love the country must ensure that such practices do not become entrenched.
A free and fair election will ensure that Zimbabwe is embraced as an equal in the community of nations instead of being treated as a pariah.
*Evans Mathanda is a journalist and development practitioner who writes in his personal capacity. For feedback email: evanngoe@gmail.com or call 0719770038 and Twitter @EvansMathanda19
