[{"bbox": [83, 105, 1145, 159], "category": "Text", "text": "Gender equality will be tackled by the action through mainstreaming as well as targeted interventions to improve access for women in politics."}, {"bbox": [83, 185, 1145, 241], "category": "Text", "text": "Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:"}, {"bbox": [83, 265, 1145, 371], "category": "Text", "text": "The topic of integrity in elections is a cross-cutting one and requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Furthermore, the action will contribute towards the inclusion of socially disadvantaged groups, in particular women, youth and people with disabilities with regards to their participation and representation in electoral processes. The main stakeholders are:"}, {"bbox": [83, 398, 523, 425], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)"}, {"bbox": [83, 425, 1145, 558], "category": "Text", "text": "ZEC is the independent Electoral Management Body foreseen by the Constitution, whose main function is to prepare for, conduct and supervise all aspects of the elections. In 2008, ZEC managed the first harmonised elections in Zimbabwe, consolidating four elections, i.e. the Presidential, House of Assembly, senatorial and local government elections, into one. ZEC faces challenges, among which are lack of full institutional independence, lack of adequate and timely financial resources and inadequate human resources."}, {"bbox": [83, 584, 598, 611], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Ministry of Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs"}, {"bbox": [83, 611, 1145, 718], "category": "Text", "text": "The Ministry is responsible for constitutional alignment and drafting of new legislation. Drafting of new legislation falls under the responsibility of the Attorney General's office which falls under the Ministry. ZEC's independence is, to some degree, undermined by the involvement of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in the approval of regulations adopted by ZEC."}, {"bbox": [83, 743, 197, 768], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Parliament"}, {"bbox": [83, 769, 1145, 876], "category": "Text", "text": "Parliament is responsible for law making, for protecting the Constitution and promoting democratic governance. There is a need for Parliament to execute its legislative agenda, part of which entails approving and passing aligned electoral laws. Parliament also plays an oversight role over ZEC that is required to submit annual reports to Parliament on its operational activities as well as a specific report on the conduct of every election and referendum."}, {"bbox": [83, 902, 403, 929], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Other Chapter 12 Commissions:"}, {"bbox": [83, 929, 1145, 1008], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The **Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC)** is mandated to promote the protection of human rights as well as to investigate and address violations of human rights and freedoms, including political and voting rights."}, {"bbox": [83, 1008, 1145, 1061], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The **Zimbabwe Gender Commission's (ZGC)** mandate is to promote gender parity as provided for in the Constitution, and inclusion and enhancement of women's participation in all spheres of life."}, {"bbox": [83, 1061, 1145, 1194], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The **National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC)** is mandated to support and strengthen human rights and democracy; to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions; to secure the observance of democratic values and principles by the State and all institutions amongst other responsibilities. Just like the other aforementioned Commissions, the NPRC has a role to ensure the observance of the conduct of peaceful electoral processes. As per the Constitution, the NPRC only has a life span of 10 years which will end in 2023."}, {"bbox": [83, 1194, 1145, 1301], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The **Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC)** supports and promotes human rights and democracy through the monitoring and exercise of the right to access information in Zimbabwe; particularly, the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media. It also has the power to investigate and hold hearings on alleged and suspected media freedom violations."}, {"bbox": [83, 1326, 519, 1353], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Political parties and independent candidates"}, {"bbox": [83, 1353, 1145, 1459], "category": "Text", "text": "As contestants and stakeholders in the elections, the relationship between ZEC and political parties, particularly opposition political parties, has been tense as they have accused ZEC of being partial. Political parties also face challenges particularly in internal democracy and the promotion of women's representation role and participation in decision-making."}, {"bbox": [83, 1538, 274, 1563], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Traditional leaders"}, {"bbox": [83, 1564, 1145, 1619], "category": "Text", "text": "Their role of is regulated and monitored within the parameters of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Although they cannot be members of any political party, they often act in a partisan manner."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1689, 1157, 1715], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 20"}]