Harare – 5 February 2019 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes the establishment of an inter-ministerial taskforce to address recommendations and issues raised by the various election observer missions and the Motlanthe Commission on the 1 August 2018 shootings. 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 harmonised election, churches and civic society groups…more

Harare – 25 January 2019 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has noted with concern the recent violent protests characterised by looting, vandalism of property and infrastructure as well as the heavy handed response by the security forces resulting in deaths and injury of civilians.  While ZESN acknowledges the right to demonstrate as part of freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution…more

Election Update – As part of its oversight mandate of promoting democratic electoral environment and processes in Zimbabwe, The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) will be observing the Chitungwiza South Ward 24 Local Authority by-elections slated for the 26th of January 2018. ZESN has since trained and deployed a long term observer in the ward and will also deploy static observers to cover the polling stations on polling day…more

Harare – 25 November 2018 – As part of its comprehensive efforts to observe the Mutoko North National Assembly and Chegutu East Local Authority by-elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) trained and deployed 82 election observers to every polling station, ward and constituency collation centres in the Mutoko North constituency and Ward 16 of Chegutu East Local Authority. The Mutoko North by-election is the first National Assembly by-election to be held after the 30 July 2018 Harmonised elections while the Chegutu East Local Authority by-election is the second…more

24 November 2018 – Mutoko North – As part of its comprehensive efforts to observe the Mutoko North National Assembly by-election, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has deployed over 76 election observers to the 54 polling stations, ward and constituency collation centres in the constituency…more

Harare – 22 November 2018- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) a coalition of 36 non-governmental organisations working on the promotion of democratic elections in Zimbabwe will be observing the Mutoko North National Assembly and Chegutu East Local Authority by election set for 24 November 2018.  The Mutoko North Constituency seat fell vacant following the elevation of Mabel Chinomona to the position of President of the Senate…more

21 September 2018 – Harare – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace. The International Day of Peace is observed on 21 September every year. This year’s celebrations are running under the theme “The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”…more

Harare – 17 September 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with anticipation the notice by the Speaker of Parliament on the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament where, President Mnangagwa will set out the Government’s legislative agenda for the ninth Parliament as well as provide the State of Nation Address. ZESN notes that comprehensive reform of the existing electoral legislation remains a critical component of efforts to further improve our democracy. Previous efforts at improving electoral laws have remained piecemeal…more

Harare – 03 August 2018 – The Sample-Based Observation (SBO) Project is an initiative of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the largest local observer group in Zimbabwe. ZESN is a coalition of 36 Non-Governmental Organizations formed in 2000 to coordinate activities pertaining to elections. Its major focus is on the promotion of democratic processes and free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. The organisation is strictly nonpartisan. ZESN observes elections so that citizens can exercise their fundamental right to vote and to provide independent non-partisan information on the conduct of elections to citizens, political contestants and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). All of ZESN’s activities are in accordance with the Declaration of Global Principles for Citizen Election Observation and Monitoring, the laws of Zimbabwe and, in particular, the ZEC’s Code of Conduct…more

Harare – 2 August 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is concerned by the violence that occurred in Harare yesterday, leading to needless loss of life and urges all political parties, and their supporters to exercise restraint. ZESN also calls upon law enforcement agents to avoid being heavy handed in their efforts to restore order…more