At regular intervals, the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network receives updates from Long Term Observers (LTOs) who are deployed in constituencies across the country. Through the updates by the LTOs, ZESN continuously assesses the evolving electoral environment.  This report covers the reporting period of August 2022.

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This report covers the period January to August 2022. It seeks to make an assessment of electoral developments within the reporting period against the recommendations that were proffered by the Election Observer Missions to the Zimbabwe 2018 general elections.

Following the harmonised 2018 elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) compiled a Compendium of recommendations from the different Election Observer Missions (EOMs) that observed those elections. This tracking report analysis is premised mainly on desktop research to assess the update of the 115 EOMs recommendations

Colour codes will be used in this report to illustrate improvement or lack of it in the electoral environment on the thematic areas covered in the report, as highlighted below:

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I PRELIMINARY

Section

1 Short title and date of commencement.

2 Application.

3 General principles of democratic elections.

4 Interpretation.

PART II ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

5 Corporate status and ancillary power of Commission.

6 Immunity of Commission, Commissioners etc.

7 Additional functions and powers of Commission.

8 Delegation of functions.

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This production captures the geography, livelihoods and voting patterns of people in the 210 constituencies.The Delimitation Report as written by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) is a technical document. The purpose of this publication is to simplify it and……… : more

A new constitution of Zimbabwe should include, among other things, the principles governing the systems of representation for the various elected bodies of the state. The electoral systems need to be balanced with specific functions given to each body. For example, a ceremonial head of state may be indirectly elected, whereas an executive head independent of parliament should be elected using a system of majority vote from the electorate (gathering as much support as possible from the voters)…………. : more

In democratic polities, voting is the supreme act of citizen participation in politics and its processes. In fact, voting is one of the ‘procedural minima’ of democracy. Granted there are numerous ways and methods of participation but voting is easily the most visible and one of the most effective methods of ‘speaking truth to power.’ The importance of elections in a democracy is seen through the opportunity citizens have to pick leaders of their choice to represent them in governance structures. Alexander Hamilton (1962), observed that “A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large in voting at elections, is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law.”……….. : more

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) a coalition of 30 organizations formed to co-ordinate activities amongst these organizations focusing on elections and electoral support in Zimbabwe…. : more

This is a review by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (“ZESN”) of the proposed amendments to Zimbabwe’s legislation on the management and conduct of elections in the country. The Electoral Amendment Bill, 2011…. : more

The Parliament of Zimbabwe is attempting to make changes to the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). The Electoral Amendment Bill, 2001, currently before Parliament, seeks to make several changes to the existing law with a view to promoting free and fair elections. This document by ZESN seeks to explain the changes that have been proposed and make recommendations on how to improve the legal framework for lections in Zimbabwe. : more

“It is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean people to make a constitution by themselves and for themselves—and that the process must be owned and driven by the people and must be inclusive and democratic.” Article V1 of the Global Political Agreement The Global political agreement (GPA) signed in 2008 mandated the inclusive government to embark on a constitution reform process……….. : more