By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Harare – The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) secured victory in the Glen View South National Assembly by-election held on April 12, 2025, in an election marked by low voter turnout and pre-election tensions, according to a preliminary report by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).
ZANU-PF’s Tsitsi Tawomhera emerged victorious with 3,404 votes, defeating three independent candidates and a representative from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA).
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament Gladmore Hakata, who had won the seat with 15,203 votes in the 2023 general elections.
ZESN deployed one static and 14 mobile observers to monitor the election process, including the collation center and several polling stations across the constituency.
Dwindling Voter Engagement
Only 4,833 voters cast ballots in the by-election, translating to a turnout of 17.2%. This marked a stark contrast to the high participation seen in the 2023 general elections. ZESN attributed the apathy to a lack of interest in by-elections, urging political parties to boost civic and political literacy among their supporters.
“The few CCC supporters who turned out appeared to split their votes among the three independent candidates,” ZESN noted, highlighting the absence of a CCC candidate as a likely factor behind the low turnout.
Campaign Period Marred by Clashes
The campaign period saw intensified activities by ZANU-PF, which included door-to-door canvassing, roadshows, food hamper distribution, and borehole commissioning. Independent candidates conducted modest campaigns, with one—Tonderai Chakaredza—reporting poster vandalism.
Tensions escalated in the lead-up to election day, with incidents of inter-party clashes and defacement of campaign materials. ZESN condemned these acts and urged all parties to adhere to electoral laws and codes of conduct.
Election Day Proceedings
ZESN observers reported that the election was generally peaceful and polling stations opened on time with essential materials in place. Voters’ rolls were displayed prior to polling to reduce confusion.
Polling officials demonstrated gender balance and adherence to electoral procedures, contributing to a credible voting environment.
Assisted voters remained minimal, with fewer than six per polling station. Most received help from ZEC officials, in line with the Electoral Act. The number of turned away and redirected voters was also low, indicating improved logistical preparedness.
Women’s Representation and Recommendations
ZESN commended both ZANU-PF and NCA for fielding female candidates, describing it as a positive step toward addressing the underrepresentation of women in Zimbabwean politics.
In its recommendations, the network emphasized the need for enhanced voter education, political tolerance, and improved stakeholder engagement to promote participation in future elections.
The by-election outcome not only signals a shift in Glen View South’s political landscape but also underscores the urgent need to restore citizen confidence and participation in the democratic process.
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