ZESN PRE-ELECTION STATEMENT

21-08-2023- On 23 August 2023, Zimbabwe will hold its harmonised elections, namely; the Local Authority, National Assembly and the Presidential elections. The elections are being held under new electoral boundaries drawn by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). ZESN extols the government for implementing some electoral reforms, which include; the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Governance and Elections (ACDEG) in 2022; the amendment of the Census and Statistics Act in 2020 to push forward the population census to pave way for the delimitation of electoral boundaries by the ZEC, the Constitution Amendment Number 2 which introduced the Youth Quota in the National Assembly and the extension of the Women’s Quota by another ten years in the National Assembly.
Delimitation of Electoral Boundaries
The Delimitation of election boundaries is one of the key electoral processes that preceded the 2023 harmonized elections. The ZEC is constitutionally mandated to undertake this process. The 2023 delimitation was ZEC’s first delimitation process since 2008 when the last exercise was undertaken. The process and outcome was shrouded in controversies that included, the inadequate stakeholder engagements, reliance on a preliminary Census report (as opposed to the final report) and the formula applied in determining average voter population for each constituency. Following the release of the delimitation report, a court application was filed by a political party seeking the nullification or revision of the ZEC Delimitation report to make descriptions of boundaries clearer and to apply the correct formula in determining the average voter population for each constituency. The dismissal of the Court challenge means that Zimbabwe harmonised polls will be conducted under the newly delimited boundaries.

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MIDDAY STATEMENT FROM ELECTION RESOURCE CENTER (ERC) AND ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK (ZESN)

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) have trained and deployed accredited observers to every constituency, district and province in the country for the 2023 harmonised elections. This Midday Statement is based on reports received from these observers although it is provisional in nature as the data collection process is ongoing. While this update is focused only on the opening of polls, ERC and ZESN’s overall assessment of the 2023 harmonised elections will be based on the entire electoral cycle processes and not just Election Day observations. ERC and ZESN intend to issue a preliminary statement on the conduct of voting and counting on the afternoon of Thursday 24 August 2023 at the Holiday Inn in Harare.

ERC and ZESN have observed that where their observers are deployed, no incidents was recorded, except the widespread cases of intimidation of voters through the setting up of exit polls and recording names by ZANU-PF.

Furthermore, ERC and ZESN observed the late opening of polling stations, which is disproportionately concentrated in urban centers, particularly Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces, and represents a substantial voting population. At least 11% of observers across the country reported that their polling station did not open until after 8 am, with 7% reporting significant delays where the polling station had not yet opened by 9am, over two hours after the official opening time. The ZEC has acknowledged the late openings in polling, attributed to missing local authority ballot papers. While the ZEC has announced that stations afflicted by delays may stay open late after the traditional 7 pm closing time, this problem nonetheless seriously disenfranchises voters in those areas who may not be able to wait in long queues for hours, or risk voting late at night.

Additional findings from the opening process noted by ERC and ZESN include:

Posting of Voters Roll Outside the Polling Station: ZEC’s posting of the voters roll outside of polling stations can help support voter information and participation, particularly since some voters have been shifted to new polling stations following the delimitation of electoral boundaries process. However, so far 9% of observers noted that the voters roll was not available outside their polling station.

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ZESN REFUTES ALLEGATIONS ON TRAINING OF POLLING AGENTS

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) refutes allegations levelled against it by the Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Finance Department on training of polling agents that will participate in the upcoming 23 August 2023 elections.

It is alleged in the ZANU-PF Finance Department Press Statement that was issued and signed by the Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa yesterday (20 June 2023) that….“It has come to the notice of the ZANU-PF Department of Finance that the UK, France, Australia, USAID, Sweden, Japan, the US Embassy in Harare, the US based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the EU, USA and the UK funded Zimbabwe Election Support network (ZESN) and Election Resource Centre (ERC) have announced that they are putting together a donation of US$10m for the training of 12,500 election agents for each of the political parties participating in the forthcoming harmonised elections.

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Ballot Newsletter Issue 04

ZESN has implored the government to implement electoral reforms in line with the dictates of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) which it ratified in 2022. The call was made against the backdrop of the 60 anniversary of Africa Day observed on 25 May which ran under the theme “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.”

In recognition of the importance of democracy, African governments adopted the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). Article 2 (3) of the ACDEG accentuates the significance of ‘regular free and fair elections to institutionalize legitimate authority of representative government as well as democratic change of governments’. ACDEG also seeks to ‘promote best practices in the management of elections for purposes of political stability and good governance’ and to ensure Read More

ZESN STATEMENT ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE ELECTION DATE

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) welcomes the Proclamation of the 2023 harmonised elections. Under Statutory Instrument 85 of 2023 President Emmerson Mnangangwa, fixed 23 August 2023 as polling day and June 21 as the date on which Nomination Courts would sit countrywide to accept applications by political parties and their candidates to take part in the polls.

The Network commends government for implementing some electoral reforms which include: the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Governance and Elections (ACDEG); the amendment of the Census and Statistics Act to push forward the population census to pave way for the delimitation of electoral boundaries, the amendment of the Constitution which saw the introduction of the Youth Quota in the National Assembly and the extension of the Women’s Quota by a further ten years in the National Assembly.Read More

ZESN PARTICIPATES IN THE ZEC VOTER EDUCATION STRATEGIC REVIEW WORKSHOP

A ZESN representative attended and participated at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) hosted a Voter Education Strategy Review Workshop from the 29th of April to 2nd of May 2023 in Kadoma. The workshop sought to review the voter education strategy ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, evaluate its relevance to the different eligible electoral demographics and minority groups in light of the prevailing environment. The workshop’s objective was to also come up with a voter education that promotes democratic tenets such as promotion of tolerance, inclusivity, peace and stability in line with National Development Strategy and ensure Voter Education contributes and safeguards electoral integrity.

In attendance, were representatives from the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the Zimbabwe Media Commission, various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) who presented on various topics. CSOs working with people with disabilities highlighted the need to come up with targeted messaging that is packaged to suit their various needs which is easily accessible and understandable. Women organisations emphasised the need to increase the participation and representation of women in electoral processes and systems as candidates, voters, observers and polling officials.

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Ballot Newsletter Issue 03

THE ZIMBABWE Election Support Network (ZESN) conducted voter education outreach activities as part of its efforts to compliment the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) following the commencement of nation-wide biometric voter registration blitz from the 12 to the 26 of March 2023. This registration blitz was conducted by the Commission as part of it efforts to increase the number of people who participate in electoral processes in Zimbabwe as the nation draws nearer to the 2023 harmonised elections.

The activities facilitated by ZESN’s Secretariat, Provincial coordinators and taskforce members included community hall meetings, roadshows and the distribution of information education and communication materials such as fliers, posters, branded, hats, caps and wrappers across all the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. ZESN also conducted BVR media and publicity campaigns and utilized popular artist Tocky Vibes, social media, still images, jingles, radio programmes, print and TV adverts to increase awareness of the ZEC voter registration blitz that was taking place and to educate the electorate about the fundamental right of voting.Read More

Ballot Newsletter-Issue 02

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has implored youth to actively participate in electoral processes in line with Section 67 of the Zimbabwean Constitution ahead of the 2023 harmonized elections. ZESN Chairperson Andrew Makoni made the call while commemorating this year’s edition of the National Youth Day which falls on the 21st of February. The National Youth Day was established to recognize youths and their contributions to different areas in the country comes at a time when the country is preparing for the 2023 harmonized elections.

“Whilst the youth are an important demographic group in the country constituting 67.7% of the total population, their participation and representation in key governance processes remains low due to lower voter registration and low turnout during polling,” said Makoni. He added that, “ZESN thus, implores youths to exercise their constitutional rights through taking part in continuous voter registration as well as participate in various electoral processes peacefully.

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ZESN COMMEMORATES NATIONAL YOUTH DAY

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) joins the nation in commemorating the National Youth Day and calls for active participation of youth in electoral processes in line with Section 67 of the Zimbabwean Constitution. The National Youth Day, established to recognize youths and their contributions to different areas in the country comes at a time when the country is preparing for the 2023 harmonized elections.

Whilst the youth are an important demographic group in the country constituting 67.7% of the total population, their participation and representation in key governance processes remains low due to lower voter registration and low turnout during polling. ZESN thus, implores youths to exercise their constitutional rights through taking part in continuous voter registration as well as in participating in various electoral processes peacefully.Read More

Ballot Newsletter-Issue 01

THERE are concerns that the civil and voter registration drive may be derailed ahead of the 2023 Harmonized elections if authorities fail to find a lasting solution to machine breakdowns at the Civil Registry.

The Civil Registry was forced to suspend the issuance of e-passports sometime in August 2022 following a major machine breakdown.

There are also reports of frequent breakdown of machines used for the processing of identity documents needed for voter registration.

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