The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) implores political party leaders and their supporters to foster peace ahead of the 2023 harmonized elections. The call comes against the prevailing toxic political environment which has been characterized by a spate of inter-party as well as intra-party violence that occurred in Matobo and Insiza. These violent clashes have the potential to adversely affect the participation in democratic electoral processes of the electorate, particularly vulnerable groups.

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The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has deployed 6 static observers in Mberengwa Ward 15 and Nyanga Ward 27 as well as observers at the Ward Collation Centres and a roving team to the local authority by-elections. The by-elections are being held in accordance with Section 121 A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) following the death of the incumbent councillors for Mberengwa Ward 15 Ravasingadi Zhou of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party and Collins Matongo of ZANU-PF party for Nyanga Ward 27 respectively.

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In line with its mission to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe, ZESN observed local authority by-elections in the Mberengwa Rural District Council Ward 15 and Nyanga RDC Ward 27 local authority by-elections. The by-elections were held in accordance with Section 121 A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) following the death of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) councillors Ravasingadi Zhou and Collins Matongo for Mberengwa Ward 15 and Nyanga Ward 27 respectively.

Observation methodology

Pre-election observations were reported by ZESN observers who were deployed ahead of Election Day and who reside in their respective areas of deployment on Election Day.

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As we celebrate the International Day of Peace, running under this year’s theme, “End racism. Build peace,” the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) implores all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment ahead of the 2023 Harmonized elections as part of efforts to enhance electoral integrity.

The International Day of Peace or Peace Day is observed around the World annually on 21 September. Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

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The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) joins Zimbabwe and the World at large in commemorating the International Day of Democracy on this 15th day of September 2022 running under the theme, “Media freedom.” Democracy Day is celebrated annually to review the state of democracy in the world and uphold and promote democracy and its principles.

This day comes amid concerns on upholding and promoting media freedoms across the globe while at the same ensuring the safety of journalists and media practitioners from attacks such as assault, lawsuits, arbitrary arrests and detention, and incarceration that are unfavourable to freedom of expression.

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AS the country gears up for the 2023 harmonized elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) convened a virtual training workshop for 41 freelance journalists on 13 June 2022 to strengthen their capacities on election reporting as well as raise awareness on key electoral processes. The chief objective of the training workshop dubbed “Media training on electoral processes” was to equip them with knowledge of aspects of the whole electoral cycle and ensure that their reportage covers beyond polling day activities only.

In her opening remarks, the Acting ZESN Executive Director, Ellen Dingani, underscored the imperative role the media play as important electoral stakeholders in educating the masses on voter and political rights which in turn
allows citizens to participate in electoral processes and make informed decisions.

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AS Zimbabwe heads towards the 2023 elections, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe has launched an alert button to prioritise the safety of journalists as temperatures heat up. While there were no reported cases of physical attacks against media practitioners ahead of the March 26 by-elections, there are fears over their safety to ensure access to election related information. “We realize that media practitioners always collect, or always have in custody critical information that is part of their news, part of dissemination but also information that they get from their sources hence the issue of confidentiality is very important about the protection of their devices and the protection of their documents,” MISA- Zimbabwe Legal ICT Policy Ocer Nompilo Simanje said.

During elections, journalists frequently cover rallies, campaign events, and protests which can increase their risk of being attacked, harassed, and detained. Journalists may be required to report in areas or communities that are hostile to the media or outsiders. This can happen if a community perceives that the media does not fairly represent them or portrays them in a negative light.

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