The Republic of Zimbabwe conducts harmonised elections every five years. The 2018 electoral environment was a momentous one in the country’s electoral history. The interest in the election was marked by various descriptions such as “watershed elections”, “elections of our lifetime”, and “apocalyptic elections” (Njeru, 2018: 8). Stakeholders had varied expectations and fears for the process and outcome. A case in point was the transition from politics centred around personalities, patronage, and clientelism to an era of issue-based, competitive politics where democratic values are entrenched and the return to macroeconomic stabilisation” (Zimbabwe Council of Churches, 2018: 12). Read More
The Route Towards the 2023 Harmonised Elections in Zimbabwe
ZESN-UZ Book Project – call for book chapters
University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
TITLE: AN OVERVIEW OF ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE: 1980 TO PRESENT
Since 1980, several elections have been conducted in Zimbabwe. Scholars like Sithole and Makumbe (1997) begin their prognosis of electoral politics in Zimbabwe in 1979 following the ‘internal settlement’ elections which saw the creation of the transitional government which for the first time included moderate black nationalists in the executive council, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Ndabaningi Sithole and Jeremiah Chirau. Ian Smith retained his position as the Prime Minister. Following the short-lived internal settlement government, Southern Rhodesia transitioned to become Zimbabwe, a state that joined others in the international community with justiciable rights under international law after the conduct of the 1980 elections. During this historic election, voter turnout was relatively high reflecting the enthusiasm and hope for a new dawn. The turnout could also possibly highlight the need from the warring parties for an immediate ceasefire. Voter turnout during the 1980 elections was 94% (Chikwanha-Dzenga et al.,), a percentage that has never been reached again in the subsequent elections in the country four decades later. The proportional representation (PR) system was used during this election and later abandoned during the 1985 elections onwards (Sachikonye 2001). Since then, the single-member district (SMD) or first-past-the-post is the dominant electoral system used in the country. The PR system was reintroduced following the adoption of the women’s quota in the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 in 2013.
The significance of the 1980 elections to Zimbabwean politics should not be understated. Several key institutional and legal set up in the country’s present electoral architecture find their origins from this election. For instance, the use of indelible ink remains a fundamental feature to the Zimbabwean elections. Although Zimbabwe has consistently held elections since independence, the quality of those elections has been questioned on several points.
ZESN PARTICIPATES IN THE ZEC VOTER EDUCATION STRATEGIC REVIEW WORKSHOP
A ZESN representative attended and participated at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) hosted a Voter Education Strategy Review Workshop from the 29th of April to 2nd of May 2023 in Kadoma. The workshop sought to review the voter education strategy ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, evaluate its relevance to the different eligible electoral demographics and minority groups in light of the prevailing environment. The workshop’s objective was to also come up with a voter education that promotes democratic tenets such as promotion of tolerance, inclusivity, peace and stability in line with National Development Strategy and ensure Voter Education contributes and safeguards electoral integrity.
In attendance, were representatives from the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the Zimbabwe Media Commission, various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) who presented on various topics. CSOs working with people with disabilities highlighted the need to come up with targeted messaging that is packaged to suit their various needs which is easily accessible and understandable. Women organisations emphasised the need to increase the participation and representation of women in electoral processes and systems as candidates, voters, observers and polling officials.
Preliminary Report on the Legal and Statistical Analysis of the ZEC Preliminary Delimitation Report in Zimbabwe
The delimitation of electoral boundaries into wards and constituencies is a critical aspect of constitutional states that follow the principle of representative democracy. The size of wards and constituencies can determine election outcomes, and this makes delimitation a contested political space. Between October and December 2022, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commenced the Boundary Delimitation process of demarcating electoral boundaries in Zimbabwe. The last delimitation exercise was conducted in 2007 in preparation of the 2008 harmonised elections. In this regard, certain
fundamental changes had to be expected for the 2022 delimitation process in relation to boundaries, size of wards and constituencies and population figures.
The delimitation process takes place once in every ten years and is done after the conducting of the
Population census. Public debate ensued upon ZEC releasing the Preliminary 2022 Delimitation Exercise Report. This study adds to the public debate by making a critical legal and statistical analysis into the ZEC 2022 Preliminary Delimitation Report. ZESN believes in the integrity of the electoral process, and regards the delimitation exercise and its outputs as fundamental to the achievement of free, fair and credible elections.ZESN Delimitation Analysis Report
ZIMBABWE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS 2022 – 2024 ELECTION STRATEGY
The Civil Society Elections Cluster (CSEC) strategy, 2017 to 2019, emerged from a broad consultative process that brought together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe working in the arena of democracy and governance. It is premised on the realization that while efforts at ensuring an effective oversight of the the electoral process by individual organizations has traction, there is, regrettably, a dearth in deliberate coordination of various Civil Society Actors to coalesce around unified electoral oversight strategy.
Long Term Election Observation Update
At regular intervals, the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network receives updates from Long Term Observers (LTOs) who are deployed in constituencies across the country. Through the updates by the LTOs, ZESN continuously assesses the evolving electoral environment. This report covers the reporting period of August 2022.
2018 Election Observation Missions (EOMs) Recommendations Tracking Report
This report covers the period January to August 2022. It seeks to make an assessment of electoral developments within the reporting period against the recommendations that were proffered by the Election Observer Missions to the Zimbabwe 2018 general elections.
Following the harmonised 2018 elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) compiled a Compendium of recommendations from the different Election Observer Missions (EOMs) that observed those elections. This tracking report analysis is premised mainly on desktop research to assess the update of the 115 EOMs recommendations
Colour codes will be used in this report to illustrate improvement or lack of it in the electoral environment on the thematic areas covered in the report, as highlighted below:
ELECTORAL BILL, 2020
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I PRELIMINARY
Section
1 Short title and date of commencement.
2 Application.
3 General principles of democratic elections.
4 Interpretation.
PART II ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
5 Corporate status and ancillary power of Commission.
6 Immunity of Commission, Commissioners etc.
7 Additional functions and powers of Commission.
8 Delegation of functions.
A Profile of Constituencies: Understanding Elections in Zimbabwe
This production captures the geography, livelihoods and voting patterns of people in the 210 constituencies.The Delimitation Report as written by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) is a technical document. The purpose of this publication is to simplify it and……… : more
Possible Electoral systems for Zimbabwe
A new constitution of Zimbabwe should include, among other things, the principles governing the systems of representation for the various elected bodies of the state. The electoral systems need to be balanced with specific functions given to each body. For example, a ceremonial head of state may be indirectly elected, whereas an executive head independent of parliament should be elected using a system of majority vote from the electorate (gathering as much support as possible from the voters)…………. : more
