Preliminary Report on the Legal and Statistical Analysis of the ZEC Preliminary Delimitation Report in Zimbabwe

The delimitation of electoral boundaries into wards and constituencies is a critical aspect of constitutional states that follow the principle of representative democracy. The size of wards and constituencies can determine election outcomes, and this makes delimitation a contested political space. Between October and December 2022, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commenced the Boundary Delimitation process of demarcating electoral boundaries in Zimbabwe. The last delimitation exercise was conducted in 2007 in preparation of the 2008 harmonised elections. In this regard, certain
fundamental changes had to be expected for the 2022 delimitation process in relation to boundaries, size of wards and constituencies and population figures.

The delimitation process takes place once in every ten years and is done after the conducting of the
Population census. Public debate ensued upon ZEC releasing the Preliminary 2022 Delimitation Exercise Report. This study adds to the public debate by making a critical legal and statistical analysis into the ZEC 2022 Preliminary Delimitation Report. ZESN believes in the integrity of the electoral process, and regards the delimitation exercise and its outputs as fundamental to the achievement of free, fair and credible elections.ZESN Delimitation Analysis Report