Newsletter Issue 1 2022
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) implores electoral stakeholders to foster peace ahead of the March 26 byelections and 2023 harmonized elections. The network is deeply concerned about the recent spate of inter-party as well as intra-party violence that occurred in Kwekwe, Gokwe and Marondera to mention but just a few which taints the credibility of electoral processes.
Commenting on the incidents of violence the ZESN Chairperson Mr Andrew Makoni said, “the recent violent clashes have a potential to adversely affect the turnout of citizens on the ongoing voter registration exercise as violence impacts negatively on the participation in electoral processes, especially of women and people with disabilities. Political and electoral related violence undermines civil and political rights and affects citizens’ right to compete in electoral processes. Also; it erodes trust in democratic processes as well as undermines the quality of democracy thereby, limiting inclusive participation.”
