#ZimDecides2023: Polls officially close in an election fraught with irregularities and disenfranchisement

Polls have officially closed in most parts of Zimbabwe according to the electoral commission schedule in a vote fraught with brazen infractions and disenfranchisement.

Counting has begun in polling stations where voting took place without significant hitches

Several polling stations in the capital Harare and Bulawayo believed to be strongholds of the main opposition are yet to start voting as at 7pm local time which is the time for closing polls.

Open Parly ZW, a local media organization in the country reported that some polling stations were starting to vote around an hour or two to the official closing time.

The EC had earlier stated that voters who are in the queues by 7pm local time will be allowed to vote while polling stations that experienced delays will be compensation in equal measure.

It also blamed court cases in the urban centres for delaying the printing of ballot papers leading to the inefficiencies experienced on voting day.

The opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa has held a press conference accusing the ruling party of conniving with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

“This is a clear case of voter suppression, a classic case of Stone Age, antiquated, analog rigging,” he stated in the capital Harare.

Several instances of misinformation and intimidation tactics were reported mostly in the urban areas.

Civil society organizations including the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Crisis Coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with ZEC for their handling of the elections.

Largely, voting has been peaceful but an opposition spokesman has claimed that one person had died “fighting to cast his vote” in Warren Park, Harare.

According to the electoral law, results are expected to be declared within five (5) days.

#ZimDecides2023 UPDATE: Voting underway peacefully but delays and inefficiencies take center stage

Credit: Sky News

Voting is underway in most parts of Zimbabwe as the country goes through the process of electing a president, members of the national assembly and councilors for the next five years.

The president and candidate for the ruling party voted in the early hours of the day while his main contender, Nelson Chamisa voted hours later.

10 candidates are contesting for the presidency after Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC pulled out weeks to the vote cutting down the number from the initial 11.

Polls opened officially at 7:00am local time but 8 hours later, several polling stations are still yet to vote according to media reports.

Voting is expected to close at 7:00pm local time across the country.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has stated that voters in the queue by 7:00pm will be allowed to vote although Open Parly ZW, a media platform based in Harare monitored by the African Elections Project reported that the directive is not being observed in some polling stations they have observed.

ZEC also said polling stations that have witnessed delays will receive an extension in equal measure as the delay endured.

Meanwhile, local media reported missing names on the voter rolls as well as candidates on ballot papers in some constituencies. This sentiment has been corroborated by the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

The CCC has since called on its representatives and agents across the country to remain vigilant and not be deterred by the “intimidation tactics” of ZANU PF, the ruling party.

In one instance, the Finance Minister and the ruling party’s candidate for Cowdray Park Bulawayo, Mthuli Ncube had to leave his polling station because there were no ballot papers to vote.

Open Parly ZW also observed irregularities including lack of ballot papers for some national assembly elections and councilor elections with the EC providing only presidential ballot papers.

Majority of the irregularities and absence of ballot papers have been witnessed in urban centres including the capital Harare and Bulawayo which are believed to be strongholds of the opposition based on previous election results.

Nonetheless, Women in Politics Support Unit, a Harare-based organization has praised the participation of women so far. The organization reported a good number of women are showing up to vote and in some cases, more women are seen in voting queues than men.

10 Facts and figures you should know about Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections

It is almost here. The 2023 Zimbabwean General Elections, officially referred to as the "Harmonized Elections" by the Electoral Commission is scheduled to take place on August 23, 2023. Once again, Zimbabwean electorates will be offered the opportunity to elect members of parliament, president and councilors. 

With barely 24hours to the election day, the African Elections Project presents 10 facts about Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2023 General Elections.

1. This election will be the second general election conducted after the removal of former President Mugabe from office. 

2. 11 candidates have been approved by the Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe to contest in this year’s General Elections. However, the key contest is between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, from the governing ZANU-PF party, and Nelson Chamisa, 45, of the opposition Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).

3. Data published by the Electoral Commission indicates close to 6.6 million Zimbabweans have registered to cast their votes in the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections.

4. On the gender front, the number of registered female electorates is 3,551,997 representing 53.7% of the registered voters (a drop 0.3% from 2018) and 3,067,694 of males, representing 46.3 % of the total registered voters.

5. To win the presidency, a candidate must get more than 50% of the vote. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held within 28-42 days.

6. Within the National Assembly, there are 60 seats reserved for women, six from each province.

7. Parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes cast.

8. The cost-of-living crisis in Zimbabwe coupled with the crippling power outages and unstable local currency are some of the key issues which will shape this year’s election.

9. According to Zimbabwe’s Electoral Act, results for any of the elections should be announced within five days from the close of polling.

10. The August 23 general election, Zimbabwe’s ninth since independence in 1980.

AEP

Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. 

#ZimbabweDecides2023: How the youth and women are changing the election landscape

Source: AFP

As Zimbabwe prepares for its upcoming election, the participation of women and youth is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's democratic landscape. The election will be held on the 23rd of August, 2023 for President and members of both houses of parliament. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diverse voices in the political process, and efforts are being made to amplify the contributions of women and young people. This article highlights the significance of women and youth participation in the upcoming Zimbabwean elections.

The Dynamics of Politics in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) that was led by Robert Mugabe has dominated Zimbabwean politics since independence in 1980. Emmerson Mnangagwa became president in November 2017 after the military took charge and ousted Robert Mugabe after 37 years in office. Mr. Mnangagwa had previously served as first vice-president from 2014 until his dismissal on 6 November 2017. Two weeks later, the ruling Zanu-PF party sacked Mr. Mugabe as leader and appointed Mr. Mnangagwa as party president. Shortly after serving out Mugabe’s term in office, he was narrowly re-elected as president in a July 2018 election. An outcome which was questioned by his closest opponent, MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa.

 

Women’s Political Participation

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has approved 11 candidates for this year’s presidential elections. This is sharply down from the 23 who contested the last election, in 2018, no doubt because each candidate now has to pay $20,000 (£16,000), up from $1,000 (£800). But the contest is likely to be between two men: Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC). Elizabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance is the only female among the candidates. Strangely, she had been disqualified but successfully challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's decision to reject her nomination.

It is worthy to note that, Zimbabwe, a deeply conservative country, has always recorded a lower percentage of women participating as candidates in elections since independence in 1980 compared with men, despite constituting more than half of the electorate and of the total 15 million people in the country. Interestingly, the country in 2013 passed and adopted a pro-gender equality constitution that stipulated the reservation of 60 seats from the current 270 in parliament for women. The law stipulates that the seats be distributed among parties by proportional representation.

Despite the progressive laws that have been enacted, women are still not adequately represented in parliament or local authorities. Following the 2018 general election, only 48 per cent of Senators were women and only 31 per cent of Members of the National Assembly were women. In the March 26 parliamentary by-elections, only 16 female candidates participated out of 118 candidates vying for 28 seats in the National Assembly. The local government polls saw 76 female candidates contest against 291 males for 118 seats. Only five female candidates won parliamentary seats while 18 made it to their respective councils as opposed to 103 men.

Zimbabwe has done a great deal to enact laws encouraging women’s participation in politics.  Good laws are however not the gamechanger. There is a need for reforms that tackle the deeply ingrained cultural and structural barriers that hinder women's full political engagement As Zimbabwe moves forward, it must aspire to create an environment where women can thrive as leaders and contribute to shaping the nation's future.

 

Youth Participation

Young people in Zimbabwe constitute 67.7% of the total population; their effective participation in electoral and governance processes remains a cornerstone to achieve sustainable inclusivity and enhanced civic engagement in politics.  The youth in Zimbabwe are embracing their role as catalysts for change in the upcoming election. A recent Afrobarometer pre-election survey results has revealed a promising trend in Zimbabwe's political landscape, particularly among the youth demographic. A substantial portion of Zimbabwe's young population has taken an active interest in the upcoming elections, with 65% of individuals aged 18-25 and 86% of those aged 26-35 registering to vote, showcasing their commitment to shaping the destiny of their nation.

 

A significant stride towards a more inclusive and representative democracy in Zimbabwe is the establishment of a youth quota for the upcoming election. This progressive move, as outlined in the constitution has resulted in the creation of 10 parliamentary seats reserved exclusively for youth aged between 21 and 35. This should be accepted by young people as a victory for the youth mainstreaming agenda. This provision serves as a pivotal entry point for young individuals, ensuring their active participation in the 10th Parliament and making the long-standing call for youth participation tangible reality.

As the country builds up to the elections on August 23rd there is an opportunity for young people to break barriers by voting for young candidates whom they can hold accountable.

 

 

Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections: All you need to know

Zimbabweans will be heading to the polls on the 23^rd of August 2023 to elect councilors, members of parliament, and a president who will steer the affairs of the country for the next five years. Despite Zimbabwe being a multi-party state, elections have often been reported to be unfair, unfree, and stained with corruption and dirty tricks. As the election day inches closer, the African Elections Project (AEP) puts together all you need to know in this article.

How will the elections work?

Aside from the presidential race, the country will also be choosing 210 members of the National Assembly. Voting is expected to take place on the 23^rd of August 2023 although some service personnel such as security officers on duty will be made to cast their ballot before voting day.

Diplomats currently not in the country will be able to vote by post but Zimbabweans living abroad would not be able to vote. However, most citizens would be eligible to vote and are expected to register using the biometric registration system.

The Senate, National Assembly, and Provincial Councils seats will be assigned based on proportional representation.

If a presidential candidate fails to surpass the 50% threshold there will be a run-off held on 2^nd October.

Who is contesting?

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, 12 candidates have been approved as being eligible to run for the presidency. However, two candidates stand tall in this vote. They are Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party, and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).

The other candidates are Saviour Kasukuwere - an Independent candidate ( whose candidature is being challenged in court at the time of publishing this article), Lovemore Madhuku of the  National Constitutional Assembly, Trust Chikohora standing on the ticket of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development, Elisabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance Party,  Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change Party,  Joseph Makamba Bush of the Free Zim congress,  Blessing Kasiyamhuru representing the  Zimbabwe Partnership,  Wilbert Mubaiwa of the National People's Congress leader,  Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa standing on the ticket of the United African National Council and Peter Harry Wilson of the Democratic Opposition Party.

Eligibility is dependent on several factors including the payment of $20,000, which has already disqualified several aspirants. Candidates are also expected to be registered as a voter and ordinarily reside in Zimbabwe for a given period of time.

 

What are the main issues?

In Zimbabwe, the rising cost of living continues to be a major concern for citizens. For instance, in the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices of goods and services rose by 86.5%, one of the highest annual inflation rates in the world. Additionally, businesses are struggling to cope with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, which lost 86% of its value between January and early June. Moreover, corruption sits at the top of voters’ concerns.

 

Will the elections be free and fair?

Given Zimbabwe’s past elections, it would be difficult to assume that the next election would be declared free and fair by all stakeholders.

Previous elections were undeniably corrupt, violent, and rigged to favor Mugabe’s nearly 40-year reign. The 2018 election which was the first election after the former independence leader’s resignation, though less violent was still reported by several election monitors as having a blemished electoral roll, voter intimidation, a biased electoral commission, and ballot paper malpractice.

While Zimbabweans hope this election will be more free and fair than the previous ones, it might not go without controversies and disputes. Already, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been accused of endorsing country demarcations without following the proper procedures. This has led to squabbling within the commission causing some officials to abdicate duty forcing the Chairperson (and deputy) to announce that they would be solely responsible for the commission’s communications.

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook for more updates @africanelection.