Publications

ZESN REPORT ON PRE-ELECTION POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND OBSERVATION OF KEY ELECTORAL PROCESSES

Introduction

ZESN deployed 210 Long Term Observers (LTOs) to observe the political environment and key electoral processes in the run-up to the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections. This report is based on observations made by the LTOs between 18 May and 07 July 2018 in their respective constituencies from across the country’s 10 provinces. However ZESN produced several thematic reports during the same reporting period, including a report inspection of the voters’ roll, the nomination court, and primary elections for political parties. Figure 1 below is a map showing the areas from which the reports were received. During this period LTOs attended 300 political rallies, met with local stakeholders including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), civil society organisations, politicians and other prominent members of society…more

ZESN Report on the Nomination Court Observations

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) deployed Long Term Observers (LTOs) to observe the Nomination Court proceedings in all 10 provinces across the country. The Nomination Court sat on 14 June 2018 to receive papers from candidates for local authority, National Assembly, and presidential elections set for 30 July 2018. The LTOs observed proceedings in a total of 116 Nomination Courts including Ward level, national assembly and the presidential nomination courts across all 10 provinces on the day of the court sitting, 14 June 2018…more

Report on the Inspection of the Provisional Voters’ Roll

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the public inspection of the provisional voters’ roll which was conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) from 19-29 May 2018. The findings in this report are primarily informed by the Long Term Observers (LTOs) that ZESN deployed to the National Assembly Constituencies throughout the country…more

ZESN Biometric Voter Registration Observation Report

The following is a comprehensive analysis and documentation of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network’s (ZESN’s) observation of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) process in Zimbabwe. It covers all the critical moments of the BVR process from its inauguration and inception in September 2017 to completion of the extended BVR Blitz exercise in February 2018…more

Kenya Voter Registration Learning Mission Report

The legal framework of Kenya provides for continuous voter registration. However for the purposes of the 2017 general elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducted a Mass Voter registration excise in two phases, the first in 2016 and the second from 16 January to 14 February 2017. These timelines were provided for in the electoral regulations and this was the final Mass Voter Registration (MVR) to be conducted before the 8 August 2017 general elections…more

A comparative analysis of the Main and Supplementary voters’ registers of Marondera Central constituency

The Audit of the voters’ register for the Marondera Central was carried out in the period 21 to 25 September 2015. The analysis constituted of a study of the two 2015 registers focusing mostly on areas of accuracy, completeness and currency of the two registers. The 2015 register was presented in 2 forms – the main register and the supplementary register…Read more

Challenges in attaining Gender balance in elections in Zimbabwe

Women face challenges in political parties, council and parliamentary elections. The legal framework and legislation governing elections and the process of getting elected into council and parliament in Zimbabwe is described, based on the views of women from political parties…more

ZESN Analysis of the General Laws Amendment Act (2016)

The General Laws Amendment Act (GLAA) was gazetted and became part of the laws of the land on 1 July 2016. The analysis focusses on the extent to which the latest amendments address the concerns around the electoral law, and in particular the extent to which these amendments give effect to the letter and spirit of the Constitution…more