Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has reiterated its call that Parliament develop legislation, especially to amend Section 129 (k) of the Constitution, to prevent recalls from being carried out arbitrarily.
In a report on by-elections for the National Assembly on February 3, 2024, ZESN recommended that recalls put a burden on the national budget and reduce the value of the vote.
“Further, the Network recommends that; The ZEC and other electoral stakeholders continue supporting voter and electoral education efforts to ensure that the electorate are well informed about electoral processes, active citizenry and the importance of accountability from elected leaders in order to continuously enhance participation.
“There is a need to ensure the safety and security of observers when discharging their duties without fear of reprisal to ensure public confidence in the electoral process and electoral credibility,” the network said.
“It is imperative to establish clear mechanisms for the protection of observers, including legal frameworks that explicitly prohibit any form of harassment or reprisal against them.
“Political parties should promote a culture of non-violence and tolerance in order ensure that citizens participate freely in electoral processes.”
According to the report, the just-ended by-elections revealed the personification of allegiance to individuals by the electorate.
“The electorate in most of the six (6) Constituencies uncovered that people do not cast votes along political party lines per se, neither do their preferences reflect on the caliber of the contesting candidate.
“This accounts for the reason why, when former CCC candidates opted to contest as Independents, they lost seats they once won in the August Harmonised Elections and for those who filed as CCC– Tshabangu, they too lost the by-election,” the report said.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) conducted by-elections On 3 February 2024, to fill the National Assembly and Local Authority vacancies.
National Assembly by-elections were conducted to fill vacancies created following the recall of Mutasa Oliver (Zvimba East), Chagwiza Stephen (Goromonzi South), Chivero Admore (Chegutu West), Madzimbamuto Willard (Seke), Siziba Gift (Pelandaba-Tshabalala) and Chibaya Amos (Mkoba North).
ZESN observed events leading to the by-elections like Nomination Court sitting and pre-electoral environment as well as voting processes for the six (6) National Assembly seats. Nomination of candidates overall saw a reduction in competition for Constituency seats
ZANU-PF gained control of all the six (6) electoral Constituencies. This has increased the party’s number of elected seats in Parliament.
During the 3 February 2024 by-elections, the ruling party was declared the winner by the ZEC in an additional six (6) seats bring the party’s total number of seats to 150 elective National Assembly seats out of the 210 there by thereby surpassing the two thirds (2/3) majority which is 140 seats.
About Author
