The by-elections suspension stifles democracy and violates the rights of Zimbabweans according to analysts that spoke to the Daily News. Analysts said this in response to the government using SI 225A banned by-elections until COVID-19 is over.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the publication on the issue, Advocate Eric Matinenga said:<\/p>\n
People should be able to speak freely within and outside political parties. Political parties, civil society organisations have to educate people\u2026need a department teaching people about the Constitution and bill of rights. We need to alert people to the rights they have<\/p>\n
Another analyst, Sithabile Dewa said:<\/p>\n
But why is it that everything else is operational; schools have reopened, food aid has started and political parties are holding primary elections? Why ban by-elections only?<\/p>\n
While another analyst Ellen Shiriyedenga said:<\/p>\n
This is an affront to democracy as it interferes with the right of the people to be represented. In a way democracy is being stifled.<\/p>\n
WHO has said the ongoing pandemic does not affect elections if they are conducted safely but the government has not budged on the issue and has maintained the ban to this day.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The by-elections suspension stifles democracy and violates the rights of Zimbabweans according to analysts that spoke to the Daily News. Analysts said this in response to the government using SI 225A banned by-elections until COVID-19 is over. Speaking to the publication on the issue, Advocate Eric Matinenga said: People should be able to speak freely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":29364,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[1388,800],"class_list":{"0":"post-29363","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-all-news","8":"category-community","9":"tag-covid-19","10":"tag-government-of-zimbabwe"},"yoast_head":"\n