2 November 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) a coalition of 32 Non-Governmental Organisations promoting democratic elections in Zimbabwe is observing the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise which commenced on 10 October 2017. The Network will deploy a total of 2000 observers to cover all the Four Phases of the BVR blitz, to date 938 observers have been deployed…more

Harare – 6 October 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the recent changes by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the voter registration roll out plan and the dates for accreditation of observers for the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise. ZESN and other electoral stakeholders have repeatedly called for a comprehensive electoral roadmap and the timeous availing of crucial electoral information in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of activities around key electoral processes….more

4 August 2017 – Harare – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 85 of 2017 by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the 21st of July 2017 in accordance with Section 192 of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13]. ZESN made submissions to the draft regulations on various provisions with a view of assisting ZEC to strengthen the regulations. Despite the presence of progressive provisions in the regulations, ZESN notes that there are a number of gaps that need to be addressed…more

Harare – 26 July 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) calls upon the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to expedite the procurement of the software for the central database or central Automated Finger Identification System (AFIS). While the BVR kits will capture each voter’s fingerprints, facial photograph and other personal information such as name, surname, sex, address, another integral component of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system is the AFIS…more

Harare –16 JULY, 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), as part of its observation of the Chiwundura National Assembly by-election, deployed 15 static and mobile observers. The static observers were deployed at ten ward collation centres, and the constituency collation centre, whilst the mobile teams were roving around the Constituency…more

19 June 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is concerned by the reintroduction of the requirement for proof of residence for voter registration by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). ZESN notes that the initial proposal in the draft voter registration regulations to scrap the need for the proof of residence was a welcome development, given that in the past, stringent requirements resulted in the disenfranchisement of significant numbers of voters…more

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

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

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

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