Publications

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

Zimbabwe’s Electoral Preparedness for the 2013 Harmonised Elections: Ready or Not? Since the installation of the Inclusive Government in 2009, Zimbabwe has been locked in a fragile and uncertain transition but is now at its most critical juncture with decisive elections looming in the next twelve months….: more

ZESN Analysis of Polling Stations from the 2013 Constitutional Referendum for the 2013 Harmonised Elections As part of is overall observation effort and in advance of the Harmonised elections (anticipated in 2013), the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) conducted an analysis of the list of polling stations used for the 16 March 2013 Constitutional Referendum…: more

ANNUAL REPORT 2011 The year 2011 brought about its own challenges and opportunities. Having celebrated ten years of existence in the preceeding year ZESN. : more

Ballot Newsletter Issue 2 March An electoral system is one of the most fundamental elements of representative democracy. A crucial moment in representative democracies where elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people is how these officials are being elected. This translation of the citizen’s votes into representative seats is performed by the electoral system. ……. : more

Ballot Newsletter Issue 2 March An electoral system is one of the most fundamental elements of representative democracy. A crucial moment in representative democracies where elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people is how these officials are being elected. This translation of the citizen’s votes into representative seats is performed by the electoral system. ……. : more

FINAL REPORT:Shadowing the Constitution Outreach Process “It is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean people to make a constitution by themselves and for themselves—and that the process must be owned and driven by the people and must be inclusive and democratic.” Article V1 of the Global Political Agreement The Global political agreement (GPA) signed in 2008 mandated the inclusive government to embark on a constitution reform process……….. : more

Summary Review of Zimbabwe’s Electoral Amendment Bill, 2011 The Parliament of Zimbabwe is attempting to make changes to the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). The Electoral Amendment Bill, 2001, currently before Parliament, seeks to make several changes to the existing law with a view to promoting free and fair elections. This document by ZESN seeks to explain the changes that have been proposed and make recommendations on how to improve the legal framework for lections in Zimbabwe. : more

A CRITICAL REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF ZIMBABWE’S ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL, 2011 This is a review by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (“ZESN”) of the proposed amendments to Zimbabwe’s legislation on the management and conduct of elections in the country. The Electoral Amendment Bill, 2011…. : more

Ballot News Newsletter This issues comes against a background of a hive of activity on the political landscape of the country. The COPAC constituition making process is still in progress with……….. : more

Annual Report 2010 The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) a coalition of 30 organizations formed to co-ordinate activities amongst these organizations focusing on elections and electoral support in Zimbabwe…. : more

Voters’ Roll Observation Report In democratic polities, voting is the supreme act of citizen participation in politics and its processes. In fact, voting is one of the ‘procedural minima’ of democracy. Granted there are numerous ways and methods of participation but voting is easily the most visible and one of the most effective methods of ‘speaking truth to power.’ The importance of elections in a democracy is seen through the opportunity citizens have to pick leaders of their choice to represent them in governance structures. Alexander Hamilton (1962), observed that “A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large in voting at elections, is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law.”……….. : 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

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