Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has expressed concern over voter apathy which can also be classified as voter protest due to recalls.
In a preliminary statement on the 9 December 2023 by-election, ZESN there were low numbers of people who turned up to exercise their Constitutional right to choose a representative of their choice in the National Assembly and Local Authority by-elections.
“Recalls affect democratic essence and this has been evidenced by the decreasing numbers in voter turnout in by-elections held so far since the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
“Whereas Section 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that ‘every Zimbabwean has the right to vote,’ there seems to be less uptake on exercising this constitutional right to elect leaders by eligible voters in Zimbabwe during by-elections. Voter apathy dilutes the value of democracy,” ZESN said.
“Furthermore, lack of intra party democracy, processes and laws or rules governing the selection of leaders and candidates could also be attributed as one of the reasons which led to low turnout as it affects voters’ motivation and participation in electoral processes.”
In addition, ZESN said the campaigns for the 9 December by-election were characterized by vote buying.
“ZESN members and volunteers witnessed villagers being given food hand-outs and farming inputs in Binga North constituency at Manjolo Business Centre,” the network said.
“In all of the eight (8) constituencies in the southern region of Zimbabwe, ZESN volunteers and members observed that the environment was largely peaceful and calm. However, in Harare’s Mabvuku-Tafara Constituency, ZESN members reported the political environment was characterized by tensions between ZANU-PF and CCC supporters emanating from the alleged abduction of three members of the CCC, torture and the subsequent death of one of CCC activists. “The subsequent death of CCC supporter Pastor Tapfumaneyi Masaya further heightened tensions between ZANU-PF and CCC supporters in Mabvuku-Tafara, as CCC levelled allegations against ZANU-PF over the abduction and death. Additionally, ZESN members and volunteers reported that ZANU-PF campaign teams moved around the area asking people why they did not vote for Pedzai Sakupwanya in the August 23-24 Harmonised Elections.
“They carried with them copies of the constituency voters’ roll during their door-to-door visits, imploring the electorate to vote for their candidate. This was however found to be an intimidatory campaign strategy,” the network said.
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the 9 December 2023 by-elections to determine whether elections complied with national, regional and international standards of electoral integrity.
The by-elections were conducted in Lupane East, Binga North, Beitbridge West, Bulawayo South, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Nketa and Cowdray Park.
At least eight by-elections were conducted in the southern region constituencies. The Harare, Mabvuku-Tafara by-election got canceled at the 11th hour.
Cancellation of the Mabvuku-Tafara Constituency by-election followed the High Court judgment where it barred recalled legislators from contesting, ruling acceptance of their candidature by the Nomination Court was unlawful.
Since there were only two candidates nominated for the Mabvuku-Tafara National Assembly constituency by-election, Sakwupwanya Pedzai of ZANU-PF became the sole candidate that was duly nominated and elected as the Member of National Assembly for Mabvuku-Tafara.
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