Harare – 11 July 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) as part of its oversight role on electoral processes is undertaking an independent audit of the voters’ roll. By definition, a voters’ roll audit is a systematic, statistical and scientific assessment of the quality of the voters’ roll. ZESN trained and deployed 90 field supervisors and enumerators across Zimbabwe to interview 2 744 respondents…more

Harare – 26 June 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) applauds the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for developing the High Level Election Peace Pledge for the 2018 harmonised election. Representatives from the various contesting political parties appended their signatures to the Peace Pledge in Harare today at a launch that was supported by various stakeholders including CSOs, diplomats, Embassies, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)…more

25 June 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) strongly condemns the explosion on Saturday 23 June 2018, at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo during a rally that was being addressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the ZANU PF candidate for the harmonised elections set for 30 July this year. This incident which comes at a time when the country was enjoying relative peace ahead of the elections is regrettable and barbaric…more

14 June 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) expresses concern over delays by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in availing the voters’ roll especially in time for the sitting of the Nomination Court. Section 155(2)(c) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe stipulates that ZEC must ensure that all political parties and candidates must have access to all material and information necessary for them to participate effectively. In addition, the Electoral Act in Section 21(1) and (3) explicitly states that “the voters’ roll shall be a public document and within a reasonable time period…more

8 June 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes the 2018 Harmonized elections roadmap released this week by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which details the various processes the Commission will undertake. The Network has noted that the roadmap is silent about the process of designing and printing of the ballot papers. Section 52A (a) of the Electoral Act states that ZEC should without delay provide information to all political parties, candidates and observers on where and by whom the ballot papers for the election are being printed…more

31 May 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes the proclamation of 30 July 2018 as the date for the harmonised election in terms of Section 38 of the Electoral Act. ZESN calls upon all stakeholders to heed repeated pronouncements made by the President that the country should hold free, fair and credible elections by committing to peaceful campaigns devoid of violence and hate speech. In order to ensure that there is smooth implementation of key electoral processes in the run up to the election, ZESN calls upon the government to avail adequate resources on time to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)…more

7 May 2018 – Following the Electoral Amendment Bill Conference, convened by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), on 17 April 2018; Acknowledging that a comprehensive and holistic electoral law, based on the principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity…more

3 May 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes the announcement by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that the Provisional Voters’ Rolls will be open for inspection from May 19 to May 29 2018, in line with Section 21(1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). The purpose of the Provisional Voters’ Roll inspection is to allow members of the public to check if their details were correctly captured and if not, have their objections rectified.  ZESN calls upon the ZEC to ensure that there is adequate publicity of the exercise to ensure that all registered voters…more

17 April 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern delays by the Parliament of Zimbabwe to finalize the process of enacting comprehensive reforms to the Electoral Act in line with constitutional provisions. ZESN calls upon legislators and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to urgently consider the proposed amendments to the electoral laws as further delays will only serve to jeorpadise the credibility of the impending 2018 elections…more

29 March 2018 – The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) welcome the decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sign the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance (The Charter) and urges the government to quickly move on to ratify, domesticate and implement its provisions ahead of the 2018 elections. President Mnangagwa signed the African Charter On Democracy, Elections and Governance on Wednesday 21 March 2018 in Rwanda, where he was attending the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit…more