HARARE - As the curtain comes down on the year 2012, Zimbabweans are faced with an uncertain and ominous year ahead, particularly pertaining to governance issues.

While it is certain that the country is heading towards polls, it remains unclear whether there shall be a referendum due to political parties’ bickering. There are serious concerns on the readiness by Zimbabwe to host free and fair elections.

The former ruling party and dominant partner in the inclusive government, Zanu PF, has an appetite for an election and wants them as early as March next year, which is very unrealistic.

According to state media, “government” through President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson and Information ministry’s permanent secretary, George Charamba said there is no vacuum in Zimbabwe’s constitution and nothing can stop his boss from calling for elections.

Really?

If that was the case, how then did Mugabe try in vain to beat the Christmas deadline that had been set by his so-called revolutionary party to break the impasse on the draft constitution?

Wouldn’t the general public view the parallel views between the parties to the inclusive government on the holding of elections to be a constitutional vacuum?

Amendment 19 of the current constitution is clear on the powers and provisions of the President and does not in any way give veto powers to a particular party, let alone individual.

A little over two years ago, Mugabe embarrassingly sat at State House flanked by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara where he told the world that he could not single-handedly call for elections.

Notwithstanding the standards set by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) which is the guarantor of the GPA that gave birth to this government. South African President Jacob Zuma, who is mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis has also been a key player.

Zuma recently won the ticket for another term as ANC president and has already declared that there won’t be any favours or tolerance to the holding of elections in Zimbabwe without consent of all parties.

This entails non-violence against civilians, adhering to international standards and practices, including accepting observers, eradication of violence against citizens and journalists.

It also entails that Zanu PF cannot go it alone and would need the two MDCs and other parties buy-in before any credible elections are held. This is as clear as the sun will rise tomorrow. - Staff Writer