Harare- 5 April 2016 – In line with its mandate of promoting democratic elections in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is deploying 32 election observers comprising static (polling station based observers), constituency and mobile observers to observe the electoral processes in the Mwenezi East by-election more…

24 March 2017- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is concerned about reported cases of intimidation, vote buying, selective application of the Public Order and Security Act and abuse of traditional leaders which have characterised the campaign period in the run up to the Mwenezi East by-election. ZESN understands that the scale of the alleged violations have resulted in one of the candidates, Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti of the Zimbabwe People First threatening to withdraw from the by-election…more

22 March, 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern calls by some political actors for the abandonment of the voters’ roll to allow for voters to solely use National Identity (IDs) for verification on Election Day. There is need for clarity from the political actors on the operationalization of this call given that IDs have been used for verification of information on the voters’ roll on Election Day for every election in Zimbabwe…more

15 March, 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support (ZESN) notes with concern the recent misconceptions over the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) amid concerns over the implementation of the system for the 2018 harmonised elections. Of particular interest is the misunderstanding of the difference between electronic voting and BVR… more

8 March 2017– The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD). The day is set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while calling for gender equality. This year the campaign is running under the theme “Be Bold for Change”… more

21 February 2017 – In light of the recent announcement that government will take over the procurement of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) calls upon ZEC to publicize a clear roadmap and timelines on the voter registration process will commence. Given that the 2017 budgetary allocations for ZEC fell far short of expectations and in the absence of clarity…more

16 February 2017- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) calls for openness and transparency in the procurement of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits amid media reports that the Government of Zimbabwe has taken over the procurement process from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)…more

Harare – 22 January 2017- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) as part of its observation of the 21 January 2017 Bikita West by-election deployed 33 observers consisting of mobile and static (polling station) observers. The static observers were deployed at every Ward Collation centre in the Constituency as well as at selected polling stations whilst the mobile teams were roving around the Constituency assessing the political environment outside the polling stations…Read More

Harare- 21 January, 2017 – ZESN has deployed 33 static and mobile observers to the National Assembly by-election in Bikita West Constituency to measure compliance of the Election Day processes with the Constitution and Electoral Laws as well as regional and international standards. The political environment in the constituency is… Read More

27 November 2016 – There were a significant number of voters who were turned away for various reasons. Some wanted to vote at the wrong polling station, did not have appropriate identity documents, or were not appearing on the voters’ rolls. Those who turned up at the wrong polling stations were redirected to the correct polling stations…. Read More