HARARE, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's independent election watchdog, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), on Tuesday called for the setting up of a multi-stakeholder taskforce to spearhead implementation of electoral and political reforms.

The watchdog said while President Emmemrson Mnangagwa had established an inter-ministerial taskforce to address issues detailed in recent reports and findings concerning last year's post-election violence, such a taskforce must include a wider range of key stakeholders.

"ZESN, however, urges government to set up an inclusive multi stakeholder taskforce comprising of a wide range of key stakeholders such as other political parties that participated in the 2018 harmonized election, churches and civic society groups including representatives of persons with disabilities, youths and women to spearhead electoral and political reforms," ZESN said in a statement.

Mnangagwa last week established the inter-ministerial taskforce that consists of justice minister as the chairman, minister of foreign affairs as deputy chair, minister of information, minister of finance, minister of home affairs, minister of industry, minister of state security, Zimbabwe Law Society Representative, the attorney general and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Mnangagwa said the inter-ministerial taskforce would also look into recommendations and issues raised by the Commission of Inquiry into last year's post election violence. The Commission was chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.

ZESN said the Motlanthe Commission had recommended the establishment of a multi-party reconciliation initiative, including youth representatives, with national and international mediation to address the root causes of the post-election violence.

The Commission also recommended the identification and implementation of strategies for reducing tensions, promoting common understandings of political campaigning, combating criminality, and uplifting communities.

"ZESN therefore calls for the inclusion of other stakeholders to ensure representation of all electoral stakeholders in the implementation of recommendations by local, regional and international election observers before the 2023 elections," it said.

The watchdog said it identified a number of key areas that require adequate reforms including enhancing the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other 12 constitutionally established Commissions. Enditem

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