By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has written to Zimbabwe Media Commission demanding that all political parties taking part in this year’s elections be given equal coverage on state media including the ZBC.

Commission Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba indicated in a statement responding to a petition on electoral reforms presented to the Commision by the opposition MDC Alliance last week.

The Alliance had raised concern on equal access to the media by parties contesting the elections.

Justice Chigumba said: “The commission has written to the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe in line with section 160 of the Electoral Act. The best time to ensure there is access to and equal coverage of all political parties by the media would be after June 14 when the commission knows who will be contesting.”

The ZBC has been accused of only covering the ruling ZANU PF election campaigns and ignoring other political parties. The issue was included in a host of electoral concerns raised by the opposition MDC Alliance when it held a demonstration which was attended by about 10 000 people in the capital last week.

Two days after the demonstration, the ZBC appeared to have reformed and went on to broadcast live the opposition MDC Alliance manifesto launch on both radio and television.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly assured the world that this year’s elections will be free, fair and credible.

The Government has invited observers from all over the world to witness the election.