08-June-2020– The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the the continued suspension of electoral activities by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) without consulting key electoral stakeholders. Initially, on 25 May, ZEC announced the indefinite suspension of all electoral processes. While announcing plans to resume some electoral activities, the ZEC’s Press Release dated Friday 5 June 2020 notes; “The Commission would like to remind the public that those electoral activities that require gatherings will remain suspended to avoid violating lockdown measures currently in place.”…more
ZEC’s Suspension of Electoral Activities Quarantines Democracy
ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Chegutu Ward 2 by-election
In line with its mission to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe, ZESN observed the Chegutu Municipality Ward 2 local authority by-election held on 21 March 2020. The Chegutu Ward 2 seat fell vacant following the death of MDC Alliance councillor, Memory Banda in December 2019. The Nomination Court sat on Thursday 8 February 2020 to receive nominations of prospective candidates to fill the vacancies. At the close of nomination, two candidates; the MDC Alliance’s Machekera Rydes Tinokura and ZANU-PF’s Mutongerwa Prosper were duly nominated to stand in the by-election. more
ZESN Situational Statement on Chegutu Ward 2 Local Authority by-election
21 March 2020-Harare-The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is observing the Ward 2 Chegutu Municipality Local Authority by-election. The Chegutu Ward 2 seat fell vacant following the death of MDC Alliance Councillor, Memory Banda in December 2019. The by-election is being held in accordance with Section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). While ZESN acknowledges the importance of holding by-elections within the stipulated time frames, ZESN is concerned with the holding of the by-election in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically local authority by-elections have not attracted queues of over 30 people at any given time during polling…more
ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Chimanimani Rural District Council Ward 16 and Mangwe Rural District Council Ward 17 By-elections
In line with its mission to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe, ZESN observed the Chimanimani Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 16 and Mangwe RDC Ward 17 local authority by-elections. Both seats fell vacant following the death of ZANU-PF Councillors who won in the 2018 harmonised elections. The Chimanimani Ward 16 seat fell vacant following the death of Tendai Nyabaya while the Mangwe Ward 17 seat fell vacant following the death of Majahana Alfred Clement. The by-elections were held in accordance with Section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13)…more
ZESN Situational Statement on Chimanimani Rural District Council Ward 16 and Mangwe Rural District Council Ward 17 Local Authority By-elections
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is observing the Chimanimani Rural District Council Ward 16 and Mangwe Rural District Council Ward 17 Local Authority by-elections. The Chimanimani Ward 16 Local Authority, which covers areas such as Gwindingwi, Silverstream and Duri among other villages, fell vacant following the death of ZANU-PF Councillor, Tendai Nyabaya, in December 2019. The Mangwe Ward 17 seat fell vacant following the death of ZANU-PF Councillor, Majahana Alfred Clement, in January 2020. The by-elections are being held in accordance with Section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13)…more
ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Harare Municipality (Kuwadzana) Ward 44 and Mwenezi Rural District Council Ward 15 by-elections
09 February 2020 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the Harare Municipality (Kuwadzana) Ward 44 and Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 15 by-elections that were conducted by ZEC on 08 February 2020…more
ZESN Situational Statement on the Harare Municipality (Kuwadzana) Ward 44 and Mwenezi Rural District Council Ward 15 Local Authority By-elections
08 February 2020 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) trained and deployed observers to observe polling proceedings at polling stations in Harare Municipality (Kuwadzana) Ward 44 and Ward 15 of Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC). Observers were deployed at six out of 12 polling stations in Harare Ward 44 and six out of 11 in the Mwenezi Ward 15 RDC by-elections. ZESN also deployed observers at the Ward Collation Centres for both by-elections…more
ZESN Statement on Global Elections Day 2020
06 February 2020 –As the World commemorates Global Elections Day, ZESN reiterates its calls for the implementation of wholesome electoral reforms by the respective key stakeholders in Zimbabwe. The Global Elections Day comes at a time when ZESN and many CSOs in Zimbabwe are advocating electoral reforms needed to enhance the credibility of Zimbabwe’s electoral processes…more
ZESN POSITION ON THE PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE IN THE CONSTITUTION
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network notes with concern the proposed changes in the Constitutional Amendment Bill to remove the Presidential Running Mate Clause. The move is retrogressive and an affront to the will of the people as expressed in the referendum on the new Constitution in 2013…more
ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Tongogara Rural District Council Ward 6 local authority by election (1)
15 December 2019 – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission conducted a by-election in Ward 6 of Tongogara Rural District Council (RDC). The by-election was held in accordance with section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) following the death of the previous councillor, Edward Chitera, who was elected on a ZANU-PF ticket in the July 31, 2018 harmonised elections…more
