ZESN Statement on Abuse of State Resources and Vote buying in Lupane

19 July 2019 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the purported request by the ZANU PF Political Commissariat for medicine supplies at local clinics as assistance in respect of the Lupane East by-election campaign scheduled for 3 August 2019. While ZESN acknowledges the right for political parties to solicit for votes during the campaigning period, this act violates the principles of democracy…… more

ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Nyanga and Bikita local authority by-elections

15 July 2019 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the Nyanga Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 26 and Bikita RDC Ward 31 by-elections. Ward 26 of Nyanga RDC is found in Nyanga South Constituency while Ward 31 of Bikita RDC falls under Bikita East Constituency. The Zimbabwe African Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the MDC Alliance (MDC-A) contested in both by-elections while, in addition to these parties, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) also contested in the Bikita by-election…..more

ZEC’s Suspension of Electoral Activities Quarantines Democracy

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

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

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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 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