27 July 2018 – Harare – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the dismissal of an application seeking to compel the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to print braille ballot papers for visually impaired voters by the High Court of Zimbabwe. The Constitution of Zimbabwe upholds the rights of persons with disabilities including in electoral processes. Section 155 of the Constitution also compels the state to facilitate voting by persons with disability or special needs. Although ZEC has stated that special attention will be granted to person with disabilities (PWDs) on Election Day…more

24 July 2018 – Harare – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) welcomes the decision by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the review the positioning of voting booths ahead of the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections by reverting back to the set up in previous elections. The proposed positioning of the voting booths which would have seen voters casting their ballots in full view of the polling officials, political party agents and observers was a threat to the secrecy of the vote…more

Harare – 19 July 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has completed its audit of the 2018 Voters’ Roll as provided by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the 18^th of June 2018. Auditing of the 2018 Voters Roll is particularly important given the concerns raised about the 2013 Preliminary Voters Roll. ZESN’s analysis of the 2013 Preliminary Voters Roll found duplicate registrations, under registration of urban and young voters and over registration of rural and older voters…more

18 July 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) expresses concern over the design and layout of the Presidential ballot paper which does not conform to provisions of the Electoral Regulations of 2005 and Section 57(a)(1) of the Electoral Act which states the candidates should appear in one column in alphabetical order…more

17 July 2018 – Harare – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the proposal by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to change the positioning of the voting booths for the 30 July 2018 harmonised election. This development violates Section 86 of the Electoral Act and international best practice as it threatens the secrecy of the vote. ZESN calls upon Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to revisit the decision on the positioning and placement of the booths and put in place mechanisms that ensure that the secrecy of the vote is not compromised…more

Harare – 13 July 2018 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) expresses concern over the chaotic start of the postal voting process across the country. Reports emanating from Ross Camp in Bulawayo allege that junior members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) received their ballots from their superiors and voted in their presence. ZESN notes that these allegations are in violation of Section 75(1)(a) of the Electoral Act which guarantees the secrecy of the postal vote…more

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