The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has suspended all electoral activities, including the holding of by-elections in line with the government’s measures to suppress the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a statement, ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the suspension means that the Chiredzi Rural District Council ward 16 by-election will no longer be held on 4 April 2020 as been scheduled, but at a later date to be advised. She said:
The suspension affects a byelection which was due to be held in ward 16 of Chiredzi Rural District Council on 4 April 2020 and the filling of any other vacancy which may arise during this period.
New dates for the conduct of any by-election will be notified in due course.
Zimbabwe has so far confirmed three cases of coronavirus, with one of the patients sadly passing away on Monday this week.
The government has hitherto been reluctant to put the country on lockdown but there are fears that the virus could spread rapidly and affect a lot of people.