12 November 2023 – In line with its mission to promote democratic free and fair electoral processes through objectively and impartially observing elections in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the Gutu West National Assembly in Masvingo Province and Hurungwe Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 24, Kusile RDC Ward 13, Nkayi RDC Ward 11, Vungu RDC Ward 14 and Zvimba RDC Ward 23 Local Authority by-elections on 11 November 2023. The by-elections in which the ruling party won all except Kusile RDC Ward 13, were held after vacancies arose following the death of nominated candidates – Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi, Gutu West Constituency Independent candidate; Muganhiri Richard, Zvimba Ward 23, Mtangi Myambo Vungu Ward 14, Nyoni Lisbert Sabelo Kusile Ward 13, Mpofu Jabulani, Nkayi Ward 11 and the death of the elected Councillor Faro Kuyerukana Hurungwe Ward 24.
Legal Framework
The by-elections were held under Sections 50 and 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) for the National Assembly and Local Authority Councillors following the passing on of the candidates and incumbent respectively. The Nomination Court sat on 10 October 2023 to consider nominations for by-elections in Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, Kusile RDC Ward 13, Nkayi RDC Ward 11, Vungu RDC Ward 14 and Zvimba RDC Ward as well as Gutu West Constituency. For Gutu West constituency, Kurwa Robson (NCA), Morudu Ephraem (CCC), Mudzingwa Martin Sebastine (Independent) and Paradza John (ZANU-PF) were duly nominated as candidates. For Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, Kasirowe Ezekiel (CCC), Makumbe Jerry (ZANU-PF) were duly nominated, whilst for the Kusile RDC Ward 13 by-election, Gama Michael (ZAPU), Moyo Busani Kembo (UZA), Ncube Mthelisi (ZANU-PF) and Qonda Tarcissius (CCC) were successfully nominated as candidates. In Nkayi Ward 11, Khumalo Mubonisii (CCC), Mpofu Mzila (ZAPU), Ncube Mandla (ZANU-PF) and Ndlovu Philip (MDC-T) were nominated as candidates. In Vungu Ward 14, the Nomination Court approved the candidature of Matambiko
Annah Chipo (CCC) and Muchemwa Aaron (ZANU-PF), while in Zvimba RDC Chinanzvavana Manuel (CCC), Gomani Pamellah (Independent), Muganhiri Ceccillia (ZANU-PF) and Rabu Enock Junior (NCA) were duly nominated as candidates for the by-elections.
Observation methodology
In order to effectively gather, disseminate and communicate objective information about the by-elections, ZESN trained and deployed 65 static observers and seven (7) mobile observers in the National Assembly by-election in Gutu West Constituency, Masvingo Province and in Hurungwe Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 24, Kusile RDC Ward 13, Nkayi RDC Ward, 11 Vungu RDC Ward 14 and Zvimba RDC Ward 23 Local Authority By-elections. Of the 65 observers, 35 were deployed to Gutu West Constituency, 9 were deployed in Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, 5 in Kusile RDC Ward 13, 5 in Zvimba RDC Ward 23, 5 in Nkayi RDC Ward 11 and 6 in Vungu RDC Ward 14. The observer deployment strategy ensured that ZESN had observers covering all the Collation Centres at the respective wards and Constituency, in addition to selected polling stations.
The findings and recommendations of this preliminary statement are made in reference to the Electoral Laws of Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Democratic Elections as well as other regional and African election guidelines and principles. This preliminary statement is based on reports received from the ZESN observers.
