At the invitation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the Glenview South by-election that was held on 12 April 2025. The by-election in which the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party won, was held after a vacancy arose following the death of Honourable Gladmore Hakata who served as the Constituency Member of Parliament under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) during the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
Glen View South National Assembly By-election Report
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE 12 APRIL 2025 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY-ELECTIONS
12 April 2025 – 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 Glenview South National Assembly by-election on 12 April 2025. The by-election in which the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party won, were held after a vacancy arose following the death of Honourable Gladmore Hakata who served as the Constituency Member of Parliament under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) during the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
Glenview South Constituency Profile
Glenview South Constituency is located in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. This urban constituency shares borders with Budiriro South, Glenview North, Zvimba East and Churu. A by-election is scheduled for 12 April 2025 following the convening of the Nomination Court on 13 March 2025. This by-election was necessitated by the passing on of Honourable Gladmore Hakata, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Glenview South, who had been elected as a representative of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party during the 2023 Harmonised Elections. Through Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 16 of 2025 (Proclamation 1 of 2025) gazetted on 24 February 2025, the President set 13 March 2025 as the date for the Nomination Court sitting and 12 April 2025 as the by-election day.
ZESN PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON 8 MARCH 2025 BY-ELECTIONS
10-March-2025 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed local authority by-elections held on 9 March 2025 in Chegutu Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 3 and Norton Town Council Ward 3. Both seats fell vacant following the deaths of the Councillors on 13 December 2024 and 2 January 2025.
Legal Framework
The by-elections were held in terms of 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), which provides for filling vacancies arising in councils. The Nomination Court held sittings for purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as Councillors for the vacant Wards on Thursday 6 February 2025. Tsomondo Wilson Charamba of ZANU-PF and two (2) Independent candidates, Paradzai Preston Tanatswa and Munyeveri Walter were successfully nominated as candidates for the Norton Town Council Ward 3, while, Independent candidates Sibanda Tawanda and Murombedzi Stabile and Makofi Mahwinhei of ZANU-PF were duly nominated for Chegutu Rural District Council, paving way for a by-election.
2025 International Women’s Day Statement
08-March-2025- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) joins the world in
commemorating International Women’s Day, a global occasion to honour the
accomplishments and contributions of women across the globe. This year’s theme,
“Accelerate Action: Advancing Gender Equality Now,” calls for an urgent and decisive
push towards achieving gender equality which emphasises the importance of accelerating
efforts to overcome barriers that still limit the full participation of women in society,
politics, and the economy.
As the nation celebrates women’s progress, it is essential to recognise and address the
areas where significant gaps remain. One such area is the decline in women’s
representation in the National Assembly during the 2023 Harmonised Elections from 14.4%
in 2018 to 11%, a troubling setback in the shared pursuit of gender equality. This decline
highlights the systemic and structural barriers and challenges women continue to face in
political participation. Women’s underrepresentation in decision-making bodies not only
limits the diversity of ideas and solutions but also weakens the voice of women in shaping
policies that directly impact their lives.
NAMIBIA’S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OBSERVATION
The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe
Election Support Network (ZESN) jointly deployed a small delegation comprising
experienced observation practitioners to Namibia’s 2024 Presidential and National
Assembly elections. The Mission conducted extensive research and met with a wide
range of electoral stakeholders, including other international observation missions,
members of the legal fraternity, media experts, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representatives.
The primary objective of the Joint Observer Mission was to evaluate whether the
Namibian electoral process adhered to national laws and to determine if the
country’s electoral framework aligns with regional and international principles,
norms, standards, and best practices. This initiative underscores the two
organisation’s dedication to advancing democratic integrity and transparent
electoral processes throughout the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) region.
The Joint Mission observed the opening of polling stations in the Khomas region.
These were characterised by long, winding queues well before opening. Each voting
station had an average of 7 voting officials, with a notable predominance of young
female presiding officers and youthful polling officials. Procedures, including
verifying voters’ names on the roll, checking for ink on fingers, and stamping ballot
papers with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), were consistently followed,
with a notable exception in some polling stations where polling officials responded
differently to instances where tablets used to verify voters overheated.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE 30 NOVEMBER 2024 BY-ELECTION IN BINDURA RURAL DISTRICT (RDC) WARD 10 AND MAKONI RDC WARD 38
2 December 2024 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed local authority by-elections held on 30 November 2024 in Bindura Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 10 and Makoni RDC Ward 38. The Ward 1 Victoria Falls Municipality by-election was not held following the dismissal of an appeal by the Supreme Court by an aspiring independent candidate Ephias Mambume to nullify the High Court’s decision that disqualified him as a duly nominated candidate. The vacancy in Bindura RDC Ward 10 arose on 26 September 2024 following the death of the incumbent councillor, Cecilia Tsaura, of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). In Makoni RDC, Ward 38, the seat became vacant following the resignation of incumbent councillor David Matambura Mutasa of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) on 18 September 2024. Whilst, a vacancy arose in Victoria Falls Municipality Ward 1 after the incumbent councillor, Ephias Mambume was recalled by his party, CCC.
ESN-SA ZESN JOINT PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON NAMIBIA’s PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
INTRODUCTION
The Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) jointly deployed a small delegation comprising experienced observation practitioners to Namibia’s 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. The members of the Mission were drawn from Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The primary objective of the Joint Observer Mission was to evaluate whether the Namibian electoral process adhered to national laws and to determine if the country’s electoral framework aligns with regional and international principles, norms, standards, and best practices. This initiative underscores the two organisation’s dedication to advancing democratic integrity and transparent electoral processes throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
METHODOLOGY
The accreditation process for the Joint Mission by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was seamless. On Election Day, the joint Mission deployed its team members to Khomas, Otjozondjupa, and Hardap regions. The Mission conducted extensive research and met with a wide range of electoral stakeholders, including other international observation missions, members of the legal fraternity, media experts, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representatives. In its assessment of the elections, the joint Mission used various global, regional normative and legal instruments for democratic elections, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring, and Observation (PEMMO) together with the Namibia’s legal framework. The Joint Mission closely observed voting on 27 November 2024.
ZESN-ESN-SA Botswana Election Report
In response to an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Botswana, the
ZESN and ESN-SA deployed an Election Observation and Learning Mission (EOM) to
observe the Botswana General Elections held on 30 October 2024. The team observed
voting in urban, peri-urban and rural areas around Gaborone. Prior to the Election Day
observation, the team met with various electoral stakeholders.
SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFICIENT VOTER REGISTRATION IN MODERN DEMOCRACIES: REFLECTING ON ZIMBABWE’S PROPOSED ELECTORAL REFORMS
Voter registration is crucial, yet intricate aspect of any electoral process. Though
costly, time-consuming and a complex electoral process, it serves as a foundational
cornerstone of democratic systems, defining who can participate in selecting political
leaders. The effectiveness and credibility of any election hinges on proper voter
registration, which adds value to the electoral process. Conversely, inadequate and
flawed voter registration has repercussions, detrimental to electoral outcomes. Faulty
voter registration automatically translates to a faulty election and equally
questionable outcomes.
Voter registration can be continuous, periodic, or civil, each form with its distinct merits and demerits. In Zimbabwe, voter registration is continuous to ensure the voters rolls remain up-to-date. Prospective registrants physically appear at the ZimbabweElectoral Commission (ZEC) local District Office to register, and a voters’ roll is compiled. However, this process has faced significant contestations and criticism for allegedly undermining electoral processes and outcomes. Concerns about impact on electoral integrity, inclusivity, accuracy, transparency, and security have been raised.
Currently, the Constitution of Zimbabwe designates the ZEC as the primary body responsible for voter registration, along with other electoral duties like the delimitation of electoral boundaries. In March 2024, a proposal to (i) shift voter registration responsibilities from ZEC to Civil Registration Department (CRD), (ii)automatically register new registrants upon attaining 18, and (iii) automatically remove deceased from voters’ roll at the issuance of a death certificate emerged, with a repeat of the same call in November 2024. In view of this proposal, critics maintain that a clean, accurate,e and complete voters roll—resulting from a comprehensive registration process conducted by an independent body directly involved in elections is crucial for the health of Zimbabwe’s democracy.
