Chief Justice Luke Malaba has called on political parties to campaign peacefully ahead of the harmonised elections to be held later this year.
He said this while officially opening the 2023 legal year on Monday.
“The nation is due to hold harmonised elections later this year. The Constitution makes it very clear that every citizen is entitled to peaceful, free and fair elections.
“The obligation is therefore on all the political parties, the candidates and their agents to ensure that the conditions conducive for the holding of peaceful, free and fair harmonised elections are created and maintained.
“As the Judiciary, we expect the rule of law to prevail especially in the coming months when political parties start their campaigns. This is the only way that will ensure that elections are free, fair and credible,” Chief Justice Malaba said.
Elections are expected to be held at a date between July 26 and August 28 in line with Constitutional provisions.
President Mnangagwa has, on various occasions and platforms also called for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections.
In his address while delivering the State of the Nation Address and officially opening the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe in November last year, the President called for peace as the country prepares for general elections.
“Political players seeking the people’s mandate during the upcoming 2023 harmonized general elections must maintain and consolidate the current peace, unity, harmony, and love that we have built,” he said.
