ZESN CALLS FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE SPECIAL VOTE

Harare – 16 June 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is concerned by statements attributed to the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in The Herald of 16 June 2017 to the effect that police officers and ZEC officials on duty away from their wards will not be able to vote. It is regrettable that the Commission has not made efforts to enfranchise the segment of voters who will be on official business on election day…more

ZESN DID NOT BACK LAXTON GROUP LIMITED IN BVR EQUIPMENT SUPPLY TENDER PROCESS

Harare – 6 June 2017 – ZESN would like to clarify that the network did not back Laxton Group Limited during the BVR tender process as purported in the headline of the Newsday of 6 June 2017. The statements about Laxton and Dermalog were made at a ZESN and CSOs media engagement held on 3 May 2017 at the New Ambassador Hotel and are unrelated to the recent award of the BVR tender to Laxton Group by ZEC.  The meeting was held to discuss the pros and cons of the BVR system as well as gaps in the draft voter registration regulations…more

ZESN’S STATEMENT CALLING FOR THE EXPEDITIOUS FINALISATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESSES

5 May 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) recently observed the site validation tests for the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). ZESN applauds the Commission’s efforts to improve transparency and enhance confidence in the process by inviting political parties, CSOs and the media to observe the validation processes…more

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE MWENEZI EAST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY-ELECTION

Harare – 9 April, 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) as part of its observation of the Mwenezi East National Assembly by-election deployed 32 observers comprising static and mobile. The static observers were deployed at each of the eight (8) ward collation centres, selected polling stations as well as the constituency collation centres, whilst… more

MID-DAY STATEMENT: MWENEZI EAST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY-ELECTION

Harare- 8 April, 2017 – ZESN has deployed 32 static and mobile observers to the National Assembly by-election in Mwenezi East to assess the electoral processes at the 62 polling stations as well as the political environment around the Constituency. ZESN’s observation methodology seeks to measure compliance of the Election Day processes with the Constitution, Electoral Laws…more

CAMPAIGN PERIOD IN MWENEZI EAST MARRED BY IRREGULARITIES – ZESN

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

CALLS TO ABANDON THE VOTERS’ ROLL FOR USE OF IDS FOR VOTING IN THE 2018 POLLS RETROGRESSIVE – ZESN

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