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Vote counting was underway across much of Zimbabwe on Thursday, 24 August, a day after a general election.
Zimbabweans went to the polls on 23 August to elect a new president, and parliamentary and local government representatives for the next five years.
However, voting was still taking place in some parts of the country after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) failed to deliver ballot papers to polling stations on time.
ZEC chief elections officer, Utoile Silaigwana said vote counting at polling stations which were not affected by the delays started immediately after voting closed on Wednesday evening at 7 PM. He was quoted by <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2023/08/24/vote-counting-underway-in-zimbabwes-election/">New Ziana</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
Yes, vote counting is underway where the election was run on schedule, and where it has been completed after the delays. So it is at various stages, but is going on as we speak.
</blockquote>
Electoral officials said the areas where vote counting was underway were more than 95 percent of the electoral map.
They also said the extended voting will not affect the five-day timeframe of the announcement of the results.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his main rival, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, on Wednesday, expressed confidence they will prevail in the presidential race.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Vote Counting Underway In Zimbabwe's General Election

Several polling stations in Harare opened just before the official closing time, while some of the centres which opened late did so well after 7 PM.
In the run-up to the polls, the Zimbabwe Electoral Authority (ZEC) announced that polling stations will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
However, on Wednesday morning, ZEC said that voting hours will be extended at some polling stations due to delays in the opening of polls. Below are some of the polling stations in Harare and other places that opened late:
<ul>
<li>At Warren Park 2 High School, voting started around 3 PM but then local authority ballot papers ran out.</li>
<li>Voting started around 5 PM at Mwacheta Primary School in the Mutema-Musikavanhu constituency due to a shortage of voting material, according to the ZEC presiding officer.</li>
<li>Voting in Budiriro, Ward 33, voting reportedly commenced around 6.40 PM.</li>
<li>At Glen Norah (Chitubu) Ward 28, voting was yet to start well after 7 PM.</li>
<li>At Kuwadzana 3 Primary School, voting was halted in the afternoon after ballot papers ran out. Voting resumed at 7 PM.</li>
<li>There was still no voting at Warren Park 6 Primary School at 7 PM since morning.</li>
<li>Voting started around 8 PM at Cold Comfort.</li>
<li>At Warren Park 4 polling station in Harare, voting started around 8 PM, an hour after polls were supposed to have closed.</li>
<li>At Budiriro 3 Primary where voting started at 6.40 PM: voters were told around 8.30 PM that ballot papers had run out again. They were told to wait.</li>
<li>In Nyanyadzi, suspected Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ) members were reportedly interviewing voters right outside polling stations and collecting their ID numbers.</li>
</ul>
Posting on X at 7.55 PM, former Harare East MP, <a href="https://twitter.com/BitiTendai/status/1694407934506110978?s=20">Tendai Biti</a>, said there has been no voting in Ward 16 Osborne Dam, Ward 19 Honde Valley, Ward 17 Watsomba area, Ward 29 Pafiwa, and Old Murapa area.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Unavailability Of Ballot Papers Mar Zimbabwe's General Elections

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has criticised the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for allegedly disregarding electoral laws by failing to avail ballot papers at some polling stations 48 hours before the election.
In a statement released at 4 PM on Wednesday, 23 August, CiZC demanded that ZEC address the nation, election observers and the world about the manner in which it has been handling the general elections.
Pindula News is publishing the statement from CiZC below:
<blockquote>
The brazen disregard for electoral laws by the [Zimbabwe Electoral Commission] has put a fresh dent into the already discredited Zim election, and we call on ZEC to do the only available dignified thing, that is, to address the nation, observers and the world.
Firstly, ZEC failed to provide the voters’ roll and other voting materials to all polling stations 48 hours before the election as stated in the Electoral Act.
In most polling stations across the country, the voters’ roll, which should be pasted outside polling stations 48 hours before election day, was only available on the early morning of voting day.
As if that was not enough, the majority of polling stations in Harare and Bulawayo failed to open at 7 AM, the time stipulated by the law, and as at 4 PM dozens of polling stations were yet to commence voting.
Thirdly, the election management body has not been transparent enough. In its statement, Zec said the delays were a result of the high number of court challenges, which obstensibly delayed the printing of ballot papers.
Here are a few examples of constituencies where voting was yet to start as at 4pm: Glen View North, Warren Park, Westlea, Harare West and Budiriro South. In constituencies like Glen View South – where voting started pm – and Kuwadzana East, ZEC didn’t provide enough ballots.
ZEC only addressed this embarrassing delay through a lukewarm press statement. The statement, issued at 10 am confirmed that at that time, only 23 percent of polling stations in Harare, 85 percent in Manicaland and 75 percent in Bulawayo, had opened.
Secondly, Zec has remained complicit in denying Zimbabweans their chance to express themselves through the ballot by issuing a bungled voters’ roll. The Coalition has carried out an extensive survey and established that the number of voters turned away is unusually high.
In some cases, like the one in Binga South Constituency over 200 voters were turned away at Sianungu pry school Polling station after it was established that their names were appearing at another polling station at Sikomena, about 60 km away.
What is not adding up is that the ballot papers for Presidential and National Assembly candidates, where there were court challenges, were available, and the local authority ballots, where there were no court challenges, remained unavailable, resulting in the delays.
In addition, in some polling stations, Zec availed fewer ballot papers for local authorities, exposing the fact that ZEC could have been ill-prepared to run this election, or is simply acting to deny citizens their right to vote.
Such a situation adds to the trust deficit that Zec is already suffering after it has made a series of controversial decisions that seemed to favour the incumbent party.
As it stands, Zec is only confirming what the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has stated in the run up elections; that the election management body is not independent and lacks the capacity to conduct elections and needs reform.
In light of this, we strongly call on Zec to realise that the last of its integrity is at stake, and the only source of salvation is it coming out to address the nation, acknowledge its failure, and come up with a clear plan to deal with the crisis it has created.
Failure to do that, the election management body would have indicted itself as the major impediment to free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe. We remain on call to all observers to take note of the events of today and make them an integral part of their reports.
We also stand in firm solidarity with like-minded organisations, like the [Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights], which has taken legal action to compel Zec to deliver complete sets of ballot papers &amp; cause that voting commences in all polling stations.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition Criticises ZEC Over "Brazen Disregard For Electoral Laws"

Political parties and all candidates in the 23 August 2023 elections are not allowed to campaign after 11.59 PM on 21 August.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said campaigning ended at the stroke of midnight on 22 August. It said:
<blockquote>
The last day of campaigns is the 21st of August 2023 at 11.59 PM.
</blockquote>
Main opposition candidate, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa held his final rally before the polls at Robert Mugabe Square in Harare on Monday.
The event was attended by officials from SADC, COMESA, and EU observer missions, diplomats, and former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano.
ZEC will open polling stations from 7 AM to 7 PM for voters to cast their ballots tomorrow, 23 August 2023.
Registered voters should carry a national identity card (ID), metal or plastic, or carry a waiting pass with an original photograph, or a valid passport, to be allowed to vote.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Election Campaigns No Longer Permitted

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said that voters do not need to wear masks at polling stations on 23 August for them to be allowed to cast their votes.
This comes amid some social media reports claiming that voters without masks will not be allowed to vote in general elections on Wednesday.
Wearing masks was one of the protocols that were introduced at the height of the coronavirus crisis in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Zimbabwe officially lifted the mandatory wearing of masks and the requirement for tourists to produce COVID-19 vaccination certificates and negative PCR tests at the country’s points of entry in June this year.
The decision came after the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the disease was no longer a public health emergency of international concern in May.
In a statement, ZEC said it is important for those who are feeling unwell or displaying symptoms of illness to consider wearing masks. It said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission advises all voters that there is no requirement for a voter to put on a mask when visiting a polling station.
However, those with symptoms related to COVID-19 may put on their masks for the safety of others.
Nevertheless, all voters will be sanitized before entering the polling station.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Voters Not Required To Wear Masks At Polling Stations - ZEC

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has dismissed as fake news messages circulating on social media platforms claiming that results from the 23 August elections will not be posted outside Polling stations.
In a statement, ZEC said it will post all election results outside Polling stations, Ward collation centres, and Constituency collation centres, as well as the National collation centre. ZEC said:
<blockquote>
In terms of the law, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will post all election results outside Polling stations, Ward collation centres, Constituency collation centres, as well as the National collation centre, contrary to fake statements circulating on social media.
The public is being urged to desist from circulating fake news that may cause alarm and despondency as the country heads for the Harmonised Elections on 23 August 2023.
</blockquote>
Section 64 of the Electoral Act requires that after counting ballots, the presiding officer must display the completed v11 to candidates/agents, provide each with a copy, affix it outside the polling station and transmit a copy to the ward centre.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Pledges To Post Election Results Outside Polling Stations

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has reportedly committed to providing all the information relating to the printing and distribution of ballot papers to be used in the 23 August 2023 general elections.
Posting on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter this Thursday, Harare lawyer Thabani Mpofu said that ZEC promised to provide the information by the end of the day on 19 August. He said:
<blockquote>
ZEC has advised that it will supply all the information relating to the printing and distribution of ballot papers. It has committed to doing so by the end of the day on the 19th.
Should the information not be to the satisfaction of the applicants, the matter will be argued on the 21st.
</blockquote>
This comes after the opposition CCC made an urgent court application seeking an order to compel ZEC to disclose details relating to the printing, distribution, and serial numbers of the ballot papers for the upcoming harmonised elections.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Pledges To Avail Information About Ballot Paper Printing

The opposition CCC on Wednesday, 16 August, filed an urgent court application regarding the printing of ballot papers by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
The applicants, CCC and the party’s secretary for elections, Ian Makone, cited ZEC, ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, and ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utloile Silaigwana as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondent, respectively.
The applicants, who are being represented by Mtetwa &amp; Nyambirai legal practitioners, argue that the ballots were printed without them knowing who printed the ballot papers, how many ballots were printed, and how they were distributed.
The application reads in part:
<blockquote>
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondents shall in terms of s52A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) immediately and at any rate no later than 3 hours of this order provide applicants with the following details:
i. All the information relating to where and by whom the ballot papers to be used in the harmonised elections to be held on the 23rd of August 2023 were printed.
ii. The total number of ballot papers that have been printed for the harmonised elections to be held on the 23rd of August 2023.
iii. The number of ballot papers that have been distributed to all polling stations and shall to that end, set out separately, the number of ballot papers distributed to each and every identified polling station including postal vote ballot papers.
2. Respondents shall in accordance with provisions of s52A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) ensure that the total number of ballot papers printed does not exceed, by more than 10%, the number of voters eligible to vote in the harmonised elections to be held on the 23rd of August 2023 and shall to that end:
i. Provide applicants with all the serial numbers by polling station, of the ballot papers to be distributed to each and every polling station.
ii. Provide applicants with the details of all postal ballot papers printed, their serial numbers as well as the manner in which they were distributed.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Drags ZEC To Court Over Ballot Papers

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared Elisabeth Isabel Valerio a duly nominated Presidential candidate to participate in the 23 August 2023 general elections.
Valerio’s name has been included on the ballot paper following her successful appeal to have her nomination as Presidential candidate accepted after the High Court reversed ZEC’s decision to decline her nomination.
She was the only presidential candidate whose appeal against disqualification was successful.
The other aspiring presidential candidates, Saviour Kasukuwere and Linda Masarira’s appeals were rejected by the courts.
In a statement on Wednesday, ZEC chief elections officer, Utloile Silaigwana said:
<blockquote>
It is hereby notified that following an order of the Electoral Court sitting in Harare, issued on the 19th of July 2023, Ms. Elisabeth Isabel Valerio, a candidate sponsored by the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party, is hereby declared a duly nominated Presidential candidate.
Polling shall take place on Wednesday, 23 August 2023 from 7 am to 7 pm for the purpose of electing persons to the office of President.
</blockquote>
Valerio took ZEC to the Electoral Court in July over ZEC’s refusal to approve her nomination papers as a presidential candidate.
Her nomination papers were rejected despite providing bank-stamped proof of her request to initiate a ZWL transfer of funds to the ZEC bank account for the required nomination fees equivalent to US$20 000.
After successfully appealing against ZEC’s decision, Valerio became the only female Presidential candidate for next week’s presidential election.
The other candidates are President Emmerson Mnangagwa of ZANU PF, Joseph Makamba Busha of Free Zim Congress, Nelson Chamisa of CCC, Trust Chikohora of ZCPD, Blessing Kasiyamhuru of ZIPP, Professor Lovemore Madhuku of NCA, Wilbert Mubaiwa of NPC, Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa of UANC, Douglas Mwonzora of MDC and Wilson Harry Peter of DOP.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Declares Elisabeth Valerio A Duly Nominated Presidential Candidate

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed that police officers have started voting ahead of the 23 August 2023 elections.
A report by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200015384/tempers-flare-as-police-secretly-vote">NewsDay</a> on Wednesday quoted ZEC deputy chairperson Rodney Simukai Kiwa as saying they had only allowed police officers deployed outside their constituencies to participate in the postal ballot system. Said Kiwa:
<blockquote>
Yes, they have been voting. We started sending out the postal ballots on Sunday and Monday.
</blockquote>
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on Tuesday tweeted that police officers were voting in the absence of agents and independent observers.
However, Kiwa said postal voting was not subject to monitoring. He said:
<blockquote>
There is no way postal votes can be monitored. Postal votes are not subject to monitoring.
So the opposition or whoever might want to monitor, it’s not possible. How can one tell whether there are postal votes? The law is very clear on that.
How can you deploy observers on postal votes, because the postal ballots are dispatched in various places, so operationally, and physically, it’s not possible.
</blockquote>
ZEC recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 140, which amended section 75(1)(d) of the Electoral Act to allow the chief elections officer to receive postal votes not later than three days before the voting day instead of 14 days.
Zimbabwe holds three elections (local authority, parliamentary and presidential) on 23 August 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Postal Voting Not Subject To Monitoring, Says ZEC

Self-exiled former ZANU PF Politburo member Jonathan Moyo says the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) violated the national constitution by printing and distributing the ballot papers for the local authority, parliamentary and presidential elections set for 23 August 2023.
In a post on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Moyo said ZEC has failed to provide information on where and by whom the ballot papers for the election have been printed; and the total number of ballot papers that have been printed.
He argued that ZEC has also not provided political parties and candidates with information about the number of ballot papers that have been or will be distributed to each polling station. Wrote Moyo:
<blockquote>
ZEC HAS PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BALLOT PAPERS IN VIOLATION OF PEREMPTORY PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTORAL ACT IN BREACH OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE TO RENDER 2023 POLL NEITHER FREE NOR FAIR IN ADVANCE
With the evidence of copies of votes being illegally circulated on social media by some postal voters who voted today [see attachment], it is clear and of grave concern that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] has illegally and unconstitutionally printed and distributed the ballot papers for the local authority, parliamentary and presidential elections set for next week on 23 August.
Section 52A of the Act directs ZEC as follows:
(1) The Commission shall ensure that the number of ballot papers printed for any election does not exceed by more than ten per centum the number of registered voters eligible to vote in the election.
(2) The Commission shall without delay provide the following information to all political parties and candidates contesting an election, and to all observers—
(a) where and by whom the ballot papers for the election have been or are being printed; and
(b) the total number of ballot papers that have been printed for the election; and 
(c) the number of ballot papers that have been distributed to each polling station.
It is common cause that ZEC has not provided political parties and candidates contesting the 23 August election or election observers, information on where and by whom the ballot papers for the election have been printed; and the total number of ballot papers that have been printed for each of the three elections [local authority, parliamentary and presidential]; the total number of ballot papers that have been printed for the harmonised general election; and the number of ballot papers that have been or will be distributed to each polling station.
Section 52A(2) is peremptory, in that it does not give ZEC any discretion on the matter, it says the “the Commission shall, not may but shall, without delay provide the stipulated information on the printing of the ballot papers.
The fact that ZEC has printed the ballot papers in blatant violation of section 52A(2) is a gross illegality whose impact can only dent the integrity and credibility of the election to render it neither free nor fair in terms of sections 56(1) and 67(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe as read with section 239(a)(iv) whose constitutional imperative is that ZEC must ensure that:
…elections and referendums are conducted efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.
Ballot papers for the 2023 harmonised general election have been printed opaquely, secretly and in unknown quantities to make it impossible for the all-too-important political right to vote to be exercised freely and fairly!
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3mOEVHXkAA-JHu?format=jpg&amp;name=4096x4096"/>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Has Illegally Printed And Distributed Ballot Papers - Jonathan Moyo

MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora said that he called President Emmerson Mnangagwa to complain about the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) decision to bar 87 of the party’s aspiring Parliamentarians from contesting this year’s general elections.
Addressing reporters on Monday at a Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) dialogue on the upcoming elections, Mwonzora said Mnangagwa seemed to understand his grievances.
As a result, Mwonzora was perplexed when the court ruled against the MDC-T candidates as it was not consistent with what he (Mnangagwa) had told him in their private conversation. Said Mwonzora, as quoted by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mwonzora-called-mnangagwa-after-zecs-decision-to-bar-87-of-his-mps-zanu-pf-candidate-felt-mdc-counterpart-was-being-hard-done/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>:
<blockquote>
I did engage Mnangagwa because this was an abnormal development where we had 87 people who were denied an opportunity to take part in electoral processes.
We spoke and he agreed with me. He agreed with me on what public policy was, the interpretation of the constitution and law.
We talked not as President and Leader of the Opposition but as lawyers. The candidates qualified in terms of the constitution.
Mnangagwa understood our case or so he says. What then happened was then inconsistent with what he expressed.
Either he was not telling us the truth, or he was overruled by his own system, we do not know.
</blockquote>
He said he also talked to ZEC’s Chief Elections Officer Utloile Silaigwana and ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba.
Mwonzora described Silaigwana as “rude”.
The MDC-T will now field only 24 candidates out of 210 National Assembly constituencies and an unspecified number in local government elections.
From the year 1999 when the MDC was formed until Mwonzora controversially took over the presidency in December 2020, the party was the strongest opposition political party in Zimbabwe and in 2008, won the majority of seats in Parliament.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mwonzora Claims Mnangagwa Felt ZEC Was Unfair In Disqualifying MDC-T Candidates

Police are investigating a security breach at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) headquarters in Harare.
This comes after three laptops were stolen during a break-in on Sunday morning.
<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/3-laptops-stolen-in-break-in-at-the-zimbabwe-electoral-commission-hq/">ZimLive</a> reported that two of the laptops belonged to chief elections officer Utloile Silaigwana and a third was assigned to his secretary, Isabel Mariwowo.
According to an internal police memo of the incident seen by the publication, the break-in and theft were discovered just before 9 AM on Sunday by Mariwowo who had turned up for work and initially observed that her electrical appliances were off. Reads part of the memo:
<blockquote>
While trying to investigate she discovered that the adaptor was missing from her office.
</blockquote>
Mariwowo then discovered that her Dell laptop was missing, and in Silaigwana’s office, an HP Pro Book and Mac Book Pro had also been stolen. Says the memo:
<blockquote>
The south-facing window for Silaigwana’s office was broken with a stone that was on the floor.
</blockquote>
It was not revealed if the laptops held any sensitive data, the theft coming less than a month before general elections.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Silaigwana's Laptops Stolen In Break-in At ZEC Headquarters

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says the printing of ballot papers for the presidential election has commenced.
The process started after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal on Friday by presidential aspirant Saviour Kasukuwere seeking to overturn a High Court ruling barring him from contesting the August 2023 election.
ZEC vice chairperson Rodney Kiwa told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/printing-of-presidential-ballot-papers-begins">The Sunday Mail</a> that the printing of presidential ballot papers has commenced. He said:
<blockquote>
We have no problem with the presidential ballot papers now that we have been cleared by the courts. We have started printing those ballot papers.
However, the current court cases relating to National Assembly candidates are impacting the printing of ballot papers.
</blockquote>
Kiwa, however, refused to state if ZEC had begun printing ballot papers for elections in National Assembly constituencies that have not been affected by court challenges.
He said the delays in finalising cases were hindering other election-related processes, such as postal voting. Said Kiwa:
<blockquote>
We have not yet distributed voting material to those taking part through postal voting.
We received applications and ZEC closed the receipt of applications.
Our challenge now is to send three ballot papers for the presidential, National Assembly and local authority elections to those who qualify for postal voting.
Although we are clear on the presidential ballot, we are not yet clear on the National Assembly.
</blockquote>
12 CCC parliamentary candidates in Bulawayo who were last week barred by the High Court from participating in the upcoming elections have appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Printing Of Presidential Ballot Papers Commences - ZEC

Lawyers representing CCC candidate MPs in a case where twelve Bulawayo registered voters seek their disqualification from participating in the August elections want the case thrown out.
The lawyers argued that the applicants have no evidence to support their claims and are relying on hearsay.
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/lawyers-want-frivolous-case-against-ccc-candidates-thrown-out/">CITE</a> reported that Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Bongani Ndlovu is presiding over the hearing which commenced on Wednesday and is set to continue this Thursday.
12 registered voters filed urgent chamber applications at the High Court, claiming the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) accepted candidate nomination papers from opposition candidates after the 4 PM deadline.
The candidates are from parties including CCC, ZAPU, Free Zim Congress and the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC).
The applicants want the courts to prevent the candidates from running in the elections and cite ZEC and different opposition party candidates as respondents.
The CCC candidates were being represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Professor Welshman Ncube while ZEC is being represented by lawyer Tawanda Kanengoni. Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba represented the 12 applicants.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lawyers Want Case Against Bulawayo CCC Candidate MPs Thrown Out

The Electoral Court Division of the High Court in Harare has directed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to register Elisabeth Valerio, the leader of the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), as a presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.
Valerio becomes the first female presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.
The development was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
The High Court has ruled that ZEC made a mistake in refusing to accept [Elisabeth Valerio’s] nomination papers.
ZEC was ordered to take all necessary steps to ensure that she is registered and that her name appears on the ballot paper as one of the Presidential candidates.
</blockquote>
The ruling comes after Valerio appealed against ZEC’s decision to reject her nomination papers when the Nomination Court sat last month.
The Nomination Court rejected Valerio’s nomination despite submitting proof that she had paid the nomination fee in full.
The leader of Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) Linda Masarira was the other woman who had expressed her intention to contest in the presidential elections and her nomination papers were also rejected.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Elisabeth Valerio Wins Nomination Appeal Against ZEC

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it has been forced to delay the printing of ballot papers because of numerous pending court cases.
Addressing election observers in Harare early this week, ZEC deputy chairperson Rodney Simukai Kiwa said the court cases have put the elections management body under pressure to meet specified timelines to prepare for the 23 August 2023 elections. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2023-elections/article/200013935/poll-preps-face-major-hurdles">Kiwa said</a>:
<blockquote>
Now on the issue of the ballot paper designing and printing, section 239(G) of the Constitution gives the commission the mandate to design, print and distribute ballot papers among other functions.
The commission has commenced the exercises of designing ballot papers for all contesting National Assembly and local authority wards as well as the presidential ballot.
The drawback, however, as you may appreciate, is the designing of the ballot papers for those constituencies where an appeal has been lodged against the rejection and acceptance of a candidate’s papers.
We have to live with that until the court process has been done and completed. There is nothing we can do, but it puts a lot of pressure on us in terms of meeting the timelines.
So bear that in mind. Don’t ask us why this has not been done. It is a legal process and ZEC is bound to respect the law. We hope that the legal challenge is concluded as soon as possible.
</blockquote>
ZEC is a respondent in several court cases where political parties are querying the 21 June nomination process.
Presidential aspirants Linda Masarira and Elisabeth Valerio are not happy after their nomination papers were rejected for various reasons while Saviour Kasukuwere has approached the Supreme Court contesting the nullification of his candidature by the High Court.
CCC has filed an appeal at the Electoral Court against the nomination court’s decision to accept nomination papers for some candidates who reportedly forged signatures to submit their nomination forms under the opposition party.
ZANU PF has also challenged a decision by ZEC to accept nomination papers for opposition Bulawayo aspiring MPs after the 4 PM deadline on 21 June.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pending Court Cases Delay Printing Of Ballot Papers - ZEC

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has finally released copies of the voters’ roll to presidential candidates, just over a month before the nation goes to the polls on 23 August.
However, ZEC is yet to release the voters’ roll to candidates set to contest in parliamentary and council elections.
Posting on Twitter on Monday, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere confirmed party presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa received his copy. She wrote:
<blockquote>
After months of demanding, litigating, and exerting political pressure, the [CCC] has finally obtained a copy of the voters’ roll from [ZEC].
We’re yet to receive constituency and ward-based voters’ rolls as stipulated by law. We continue to demand these from [ZEC].
Our elections directorate and technical experts are now analyzing the roll in light of the massive anomalies that came to light during the inspection.
</blockquote>
The election adviser of independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere, Jaqueline Sande also confirmed receipt of his copy. She tweeted:
<blockquote>
I do confirm that an electronic voter’s roll was handed over to me on behalf of President Saviour Kasukuwere by [ZEC].
</blockquote>
In 2022, a data analysis group, Team Pachedu claimed the voters’ roll had several anomalies.
It said ZEC had illegally moved 170 000 voters from their constituencies and wards and created additional polling stations under unclear circumstances as well as registrants with similar and wrong addresses.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Delivers Voters' Roll To Presidential Election Candidates

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has distanced itself from a post circulating on social media platforms on the number of registered voters.
The post claims that more than 70% of registered voters for the 23 August 2023 general elections are in rural areas.
The post, which features a ZEC logo, claims that the figure was based on data from the commission’s website.
According to the post, 3 801 967 people are registered in rural areas while only 1 976 381 people are in urban areas.
In a statement posted on Twitter, ZEC urged members of the public to disregard the post, saying it did not originate from the electoral management body. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200013625/zec-disowns-fake-post-on-voter-statistics">It said</a>:
<blockquote>
This post did not emanate from the ZEC office and the commission distances itself from such.
Members of the public are discouraged from abusing the ZEC logo for personal gain.
We urge the public to be wary of such posts and to only rely on information from the ZEC website or from our official social media platforms.
We are committed to ensuring that the upcoming elections are free, fair, and credible.
We urge all eligible voters to register to vote and participate in the elections.
</blockquote>
Critics have expressed doubt over the credibility of the upcoming elections as ZEC has hitherto failed to avail the voters’ roll to candidates for scrutiny.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Disowns Social Media Post On Voter Statistics

The opposition United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party has approached the High Court for redress after a list of its candidates whose papers were approved in the nomination court did not appear in the Government Gazette published on 30 June 2023.
UZA president <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Elisabeth_Valerio">Elisabeth Valerio</a> said the candidates’ papers were approved in nomination court and paid their fees but were rejected by ZEC.
Below is the list of UZA candidates whose names did not appear on ZEC’s final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections:
Elisabeth Valerio, Presidential Candidate
MANICALAND Candidates nominated for House of Assembly:
<ul>
<li>Saul Chinyamunjiko, Buhera Central</li>
<li>Collin Chirume, Buhera North</li>
<li>Somebody Muchacha, Buhera South</li>
<li>Yotam Jacob, Chipinge Central</li>
<li>Alec Kaserera, Mutare South</li>
<li>Tawanda Kadozora, Nyanga South</li>
</ul>
MIDLANDS Candidates nominated for House of Assembly:
<ul>
<li>Lovemore Magaya, Gokwe Central</li>
<li>Takwana Mavhurere, Gokwe Chireya</li>
<li>Marvelous Muyezi, Gweru Urban</li>
<li>Lyton Magwizi, Vungu</li>
</ul>
MIDLANDS Candidates nominated for House of Assembly:
<ul>
<li>Lovemore Magaya, Gokwe Central</li>
<li>Takwana Mavhurere, Gokwe Chireya</li>
<li>Marvelous Muyezi, Gweru Urban</li>
<li>Lyton Magwizi, Vungu</li>
</ul>
MASHONALAND CENTRAL Candidates nominated for House of Assembly:
<ul>
<li>Casper Muzhona, Guruve South</li>
<li>Denias Bako, Mount Darwin South</li>
</ul>
MASHONALAND WEST Candidates nominated for House of Assembly
<ul>
<li>Gift Runozivei, Chegutu West</li>
<li>Brian Kakurira, Chinhoyi</li>
<li>Chadamoyo Mapuranga, Kadoma Central</li>
<li>Batsirai Chongo, Hurungwe East</li>
<li>Canfred Munhungeyi, Makonde</li>
<li>Chamunorwa Maunga, Magunje</li>
<li>Stephen Bwanali, Muzvezve</li>
<li>Abraham Cheteni, Norton</li>
<li>Shackem Madhaka, Sanyati</li>
<li>Edwin Mudzviti, Zvimba East</li>
<li>Sidney Denga, Zvimba West</li>
</ul>
Senators 
<ul>
<li>Member Museredza</li>
<li>Norman Ngundu</li>
<li>Ennie Gwaze</li>
<li>Shiela Muzamhindo</li>
<li>Dandajena Madyavanhu</li>
</ul>
Youth Quota 
<ul>
<li>Augustine Nkomo</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Valerio Says UZA Candidates' Names Missing From ZEC Final List

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has finally responded to a letter from the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) over the issue of double candidates.
CCC says forty-one (41) individuals fraudulently filed nomination papers as members of the party.
20 of the “fraudsters” filed nomination papers for National Assembly seats while the other 21 individuals filed for local authority seats.
On 22 June, CCC wrote a letter to ZEC and demanded a response within 2 hrs of receipt of the letter, <a href="https://twitter.com/adv_fulcrum/status/1675009804090109952?s=20">according to lawyer Thabani Mpofu</a>.
However, ZEC only responded 8 days later, on 30 June, after it had already gazetted the challenged names.
In the letter, signed by one E. Mamvura on behalf of ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utoile Silaigwana, the elections management body said it cannot interfere with the decision of the Nomination Court. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
RE: INVALID CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2023 HARMONISED ELECTIONS
We refer to the above matter and acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 22 June 2023.
Please note that we cannot interfere with the decision of the Nomination Court. After the sitting of the Nomination Court, a nomination officer becomes functus officio.
We also understand that there is a pending case on the issue raised in your letter. Kindly continue to seek legal redress on the matter.
Candidates have a right to appeal against decisions of nomination officers in terms of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13].
</blockquote>
In a statement on 26 June, CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said the party had filed criminal charges against the fraudsters and also appealed to the Electoral Court.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Blow For CCC As ZEC Gazettes Double Candidates

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it is cleaning the voters’ roll of mistakes noted during the inspection period and getting it ready for use in the harmonised elections set for 23 August 2023.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/election-nomination-fees-gazetted/">State media</a>, ZEC chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said the voters’ roll will only be availed to candidates who successfully file their papers with the Nomination Court that sits on 21 June. Said Silaigwana:
<blockquote>
The voters’ roll might be ready [on Sunday, 18 June], that is when we will have the total number of people who registered to vote in the coming elections.
For now, we are just going through the final cleaning of the roll, removing such cases as multiple registrations and other issues that were picked up during the voters’ roll inspection phase.
This is all to ensure that come Wednesday we fulfill our mandate of giving the voters’ roll to everyone that successfully submits their papers to the nomination courts.
</blockquote>
Voter registration remains open but the voters’ roll that will be used in the 23 August elections closed two days after the proclamation of elections by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Voters' Roll Will Only Be Availed To Election Candidates - ZEC

CCC and MDC welcomed a ruling by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Friday against the candidate nomination fees for the 2023 harmonised elections set by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in August 2022.
The ConCourt made the ruling following an application by Devine Mhambi Hove, leader of the opposition National Alliance of Patriotic and Democratic Republicans (NPDR).
Mhambi argued that the fees were too high and contravened provisions of the national Constitution.
The ConCourt gave Parliament seven days to review the fees.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere told <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zecs-hefty-nomination-fees-unite-political-rivals/">ZimLive</a> that the party’s MPs were ready to propose “reasonable fees” taking into cognisance the prevailing economic situation. She said:
<blockquote>
The latest Constitutional Court ruling prohibiting the exorbitant Nomination Court fees as set out in SI 144/2022 vindicates the CCC position that ZEC must not unduly restrict citizen participation in electoral processes by making the fees unaffordable in this harsh economic climate.
CCC MPs are ready to propose reasonable fees that will cover administration costs by ZEC and are in line with our economic realities.
The CCC believes genuine members of parliament from across the political divide will unite to put forward a reasonable and affordable fee in light of the economic challenges faced by citizens throughout the country who intend to be candidates in this coming general election.
</blockquote>
Also speaking to ZimLive, MDC spokesperson Witness Dube said the party will work with other parties across the political divide to decrease the nomination fees. He said:
<blockquote>
The court’s ruling has given the Zimbabwean people a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in terms of affirming our democracy where we don’t have fees as restrictive measures when it comes to political representation of the masses.
Since this is going to be determined by parliament, we will be working with everyone in parliament.
When I say everyone, I mean MDC will be open to working with CCC, and will be open to working with ZANU PF MPs in order to arrive at very reasonable nomination fees.
No matter how much the country needs in terms of funds to run the election, we should fund our elections through other means not directly relying on the participants because that has an adverse effect on limiting the space, the democratic space shrinking it and actually impacting on the quality of leadership that therefore emerges.
</blockquote>
Nomination fees for presidential candidates in the 2018 general election were US$1 000 and US$50 for parliamentary candidates.
However, in August 2022, ZEC increased the fees to US$20 000 for presidential candidates, US$1 000 for aspiring Members of Parliament and US$100 for senatorial and council seats for aspiring candidates ahead of the 2023 elections.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC, MDC Welcome Constitutional Court Ruling On ZEC Candidate Nomination Fees

FreeZim Congress leader <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Joseph_Busha">Joseph Busha</a> has said the US$20 000 nomination fee for presidential candidates set by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) should be increased to US$50 000 so that only people who are serious will run for the presidency, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200012769/us20k-nomination-fee-too-little-freezim-congress">NewsDay</a>.
ZEC pegged fees for presidential candidates at US$20 000 per head and US$1 000 for aspiring MPs ahead of the 23 August harmonised elections.
Speaking during the launch of his presidential bid in Harare on Monday, 12 June, Busha said:
<blockquote>
We don’t want people who want to play with Zimbabweans. Leaders pay all the time for the presidential candidate.
I think we should pay more because we do not want a bloated ballot (paper).
The US$20 000 is little and we need something like US$50 000 so that serious people contest the presidential elections.
</blockquote>
Busha, however, said nomination fees for parliamentary and local government candidates are too high and should be reduced.
The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Friday ruled against ZEC’s nomination fees following an application by Devine Mhambi Hove, leader of the opposition National Alliance of Patriotic and Democratic Republicans (NPDR).
Mhambi argued that the fees were too high and contravened provisions of the national Constitution.
The ConCourt gave Parliament seven days to review the fees.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

FreeZim Congress Leader Wants Nomination Fee Raised To US$50 000

Self-exiled former ZANU PF Politburo member Jonathan Moyo says the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) does not have the capacity to run this year’s general elections.
On Wednesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed 23 August as the date for the country’s harmonised elections.
Responding to the proclamation, Moyo said the divisions within ZEC around the delimitation exercise indicate that it is not ready to smoothly conduct the elections. Moyo wrote:
<blockquote>
ZEC INCAPACITATED TO COMPILE A CREDIBLE VOTERS ROLL
Today’s gazetting of the election proclamation fixing 23 August 2023 as the date for the harmonised general election [presidential, parliamentary and local authority] means this might turn out to be a general election like no other before.
The election proclamation has come not only when journalists at the country’s major sections of the mainstream media – on whom the public depends for information on elections – have declared themselves to be incapacitated, but it has also come when @ZECzim – the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections – is itself clearly incapacitated.
It is common cause that the disputed delimitation exercise sharply divided and incapacitated ZEC as seven Commissioners – not a small number – went rogue and disassociated themselves from the delimitation exercise and report, with some even challenging it in court.
Since then, there’s no evidence that the ZEC divisions have disappeared or that they have been satisfactorily if at all addressed.
Also, there is no evidence that the Commission is functioning properly or effectively, let alone efficiently, as a corporate entity which is a Chapter 12 constitutional institution.
ZEC’s functions and communications have become palpably dysfunctional, and are clearly not operating the way they should or they used to.
Meanwhile, ZEC’s Chief Elections Officer, Mr Utoile Silaigwana, has hardly been at work, reportedly incapacitated by health issues which have seen him on repeated sick leave over quite some time.
The conspicuous trappings of incapacitation at ZEC do not bode well for the proper administration of the electoral process in terms of the law.
On 27 May 2023, the day when the ongoing and rather controversial voter registration inspection started, ZEC issued the following pregnant statement that should concern anyone who would like to see a free, fair and credible harmonised general election on 23 August:
“Owing to logistical and other unforeseen challenges, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to inform members of the public that some voters’ roll inspection centres may start operating much later than the anticipated time on 27 May 2023.
The Commission may consider extending this exercise scheduled to end on 31 May 2023 by a day in affected areas”.
In the end, most areas were affected to warrant an extension in all areas to tomorrow, 1 June 2023.
While ZEC did not indicate what “logistical and unforeseen challenges” it was having – and while the incapacitated media did not probe this to unravel it, what is self-evident is that ZEC is incapacitated but – unlike the journalists at the two major media houses – has not declared its incapacitation.
Against this backdrop, and judging by the way it has by its own admission struggled with “logistical and unforeseen challenges” to enable a smooth inspection of the provisional voters’ roll, @ZECzim does not appear to be ready to smoothly conduct the forthcoming general election.
In fact, ZEC is not ready.
Yet the first thing that must be in order before any general election is the institutional, organisational and technical readiness of the electoral body. The capacity of the electoral body must not be in question.
And the first thing that the electoral body must have ready ahead of a general election is the voters’ roll. In the study of electoral politics and practice, an election is a voter roll.
ZEC extended to tomorrow 1 June 2023, the ongoing rather short and problematic inspection of the provisional voters’ roll which started on 27 May 2023 and which was meant to end today, for inspecting by voters who were registered by 28 April 2023, and who were given a very short inspection notice on 23 May 2023.
The fact that, following today’s election proclamation, the cut-off date for voter registration for the forthcoming election is 2 June 2023 – only a day after the end of the ongoing voter inspection of the provisional voters’ roll, means that ZEC’s preparation and compilation of the final voters’ roll will be based on a poorly audited provisional voters roll.
This is bad news.
It is safe to say ZEC’s compilation of the final voters’ roll for the 23 August 2023 harmonised general election will be based on a provisional voters roll that has not been properly audited or even one which does not exist.
This would not be right nor fair in terms of natural justice, nor would it be constitutional in terms of section 239(a) of the Constitution which requires ZEC to “ensure that …elections…are conducted efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently and in accordance with law”.
There can be no free, fair, transparent election conducted in accordance with the law without a credible voters roll that has been audited [meaning sufficiently inspected] by voters in terms of section 21 of the Electoral Act.
When voters audit the voters roll by inspection, invariably, anomalies are identified and those anomalies must be corrected transparently, meaning voters should be able to confirm – before the general election – that ZEC has corrected the anomalies they identified.
Given that today’s election proclamation has been gazetted before the conclusion of a manifestly problematic – some will say chaotic – ongoing inspection of the provisional voters roll; and given that the cut-off date for voters to register to be able to vote on 23 August 2023 is 2 June 2023; and further given that the Nomination Courts for the three elections will sit on 21 June 2023, ZEC should do right by voters and provide at least a five-day proper inspection of the final voters roll after 2 June 2023 and well before 21 June 2023.
If ZEC does not come up with a window of at least five days for voters to inspect the final voters roll after 2 June 2023, it can forget about having rational and fair-minded people judging the 2023 harmonised general election as free, fair and credible; such an election will not be credible abi nitio.
The credibility of an election starts with a credible voters’ roll, and a voters’ roll cannot be credible if it has not been freely, fairly and transparently audited by voters themselves over a reasonable time before an election.
This is why students of electoral politics and practice say an election is a voters’ roll. It is pointless to conduct an election without a credible voters’ roll.
Consequently, ZEC will do well to recover from its worrying incapacitation and ensure that it does not miss or squander the small window of opportunity it still has to compile a credible final voters roll and enable voters who are registered by 2 June 2023 to inspect that voters roll in terms of the law, to win the goodwill and confidence of the electorate, ahead of 23 August.
A credible voters’ roll properly audited by voters themselves is the holy grail of a free and fair election in a constitutional democracy!
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Has No Capacity To Conduct Credible Elections - Jonathan Moyo

Some registered voters including opposition legislators say their names are missing from the voters’ roll.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) started a voters’ roll inspection exercise on Saturday and since then, some registered voters who checked their documents to ensure that their details are in order were shocked to find their names missing.
The voters’ roll inspection ends on 31 May but ZEC Chief Elections Officer <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/27/voters-roll-inspection-may-be-delayed-at-some-centres-zec/">Utloile Silaigwana on Saturday said ZEC may consider allowing voters in areas where inspection centres</a> were anticipated to start operating late to inspect the voters’ roll on 01 June.
Bulawayo Central proportional representation Member of Parliament Jasmine Toffa (CCC) told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200012262/names-vanish-from-voters-roll">NewsDay</a> that her name is missing on the voters’ roll. She said:
<blockquote>
Two weeks ago, I dialled *265# to check my name and it reflected. I took a screenshot and kept it.
Yesterday I decided to check again and I saw that my name was no longer there. I went to do a physical check and my name was not there.
I found a number of people queuing there who had the same challenges. ZEC officials said they are facing technical difficulties, and I don’t understand how something that is on the computer does not print out on a hard copy.
</blockquote>
Another Bulawayo proportional representation MP Nicola Watson said her name was missing. She said:
<blockquote>
Bulawayo councillor Edwin Ndlovu’s name was also missing. This is unacceptable as the magnitude of error is extremely high. Most people don’t even know where to check their names.
</blockquote>
Prominent Bulawayo-based journalist Zenzele Ndebele also said he could not locate his name in the voters’ roll. He tweeted:
<blockquote>
I have checked my name and can confirm that it is not on the voters’ roll. And the four guys who came when I was there were also not on the voters’ roll.
</blockquote>
Contacted for comment by NewsDay, ZEC chief elections Officer Utoile Silaigwana said:
<blockquote>
What I want you to understand is that the purpose of the inspection of the voters’ roll is to check if ever there are mistakes in terms of names etc, then if there is a query then that query should be registered so that it can be corrected.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, voter registration is ongoing at the usual centres across the country. The voters’ roll will be closed for registration two days after President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed the election date.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Voters Worried As Names Vanish From Voters' Roll

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has advised prospective voters that some voters’ roll inspection centres may start operating much later than the anticipated time this Saturday.
In a statement issued this Saturday, ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utloile Silaigwana said the delays are a result of “logistical and other unforeseen challenges”.
He said ZEC may consider allowing voters in affected areas to inspect the voters’ roll on 01 June. Said Silaigwana:
<blockquote>
Owing to logistical and other unforeseen challenges, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to inform members of the public that some voters’ roll inspection centres may start operating much later than the anticipated time on 27 May 2023.
The Commission may consider extending this exercise scheduled to end on 31 May 2023 by a day in affected areas.
</blockquote>
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200012012/no-voter-registration-at-inspection-centres-zec">NewsDay</a> on Wednesday, Silaigwana said voter registration is still ongoing at the usual centres. He said:
<blockquote>
Voter registration has not yet been closed. However, members of the public will not be able to register as voters at the polling stations.
They will be just inspecting the roll. Registration will be at the usual. There is no registration at all at the inspection centres.
We are extending our work. We are doing it for the benefit of the public, as an administrative matter.
We are doing like what we do with the voter registration blitz to bring the centres to the people.
It’s an administrative decision that we have taken to bring the centres to the people, otherwise, individuals can inspect the roll anytime, according to the law.
</blockquote>
Silaigwana said the voters’ roll will be closed for registration two days after President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed the election date.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Voters' Roll Inspection May Be Delayed At Some Centres - ZEC

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa says his rival Douglas Mwonzora was imprudent when he allegedly hobnobbed with ZANU PF after he became the leader of MDC-T.
Chamisa made the remarks following Mwonzora’s unsuccessful application challenging the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s delimitation report.
On Monday, the Constitutional Court dismissed Mwonzora’s application seeking nullification of the delimitation report.
Had the Constitutional Court granted Mwonzora’s application, the 2023 general elections would have had to be postponed.
Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said opposition leaders should never trust ZANU PF as doing so will end in tears. <a href="https://twitter.com/nelsonchamisa/status/1655548970993590272?s=20">Wrote Chamisa</a>:
<blockquote>
Never, never go to bed with Zpf. It’s dangerous! Maybe just go to dinner but then use a very long spoon. Otherwise, it will end in tears!
</blockquote>
Speaking to reporters outside court after the ruling, Mwonzora said the court made a political judgment. He said:
<blockquote>
Their (judges’) argument is that they do not have jurisdiction, in other words, that they don’t have the power to hear the case. In our respective view, the court has made a political judgment.
</blockquote>
Mwonzora’s lawyer Lovemore Madhuku <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/it-will-end-in-tears-chamisa-taunts-mwonzora-after-concourt-tosses-mdc-leaders-delimitation-report-challenge/">hinted that</a> they would likely seek a declaration that ZEC’s delimitation report is invalid at the High Court.
The general elections must be held between 26 July and 26 August, to comply with Constitutional regulations that the election must come not more than 30 days after the expiry period of the current Parliament.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently said he will proclaim the election date before the end of this month.
Current laws also stipulate that a proclamation can only be made 44-88 days before the election date.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chamisa Mocks Mwonzora After ConCourt Dismisses Delimitation Report Challenge

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of violating the Constitution by failing to publish the voters’ roll ostensibly to protect voters’ data in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
This comes after High Court judge Justice Never Katiyo rejected an application by Harare North MP, Allan Markham, who sought the court to compel ZEC to release the voters’ roll.
He said the release of the electronic voters’ roll would expose the document to manipulation.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, ERC said ZEC’s reasons for withholding the Voters’ Roll were unconstitutional and will affect the credibility of the elections. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The ERC notes the statement made by the ZEC Chairperson Honourable Chigumba in Parliament on 5 April 2023.
The Chairperson is quoted stating that the Electoral Commission is unable to publish the voters’ roll as it has the responsibility to protect the data of voters in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
While the Data Protection Act is there to provide for data protection with due regard to the Declaration of Rights under the Constitution, the act also addresses the protection of data in terms of public and national interest.
Section 11 (5) (h) of the Data Protection Act states that the data controller (ZEC in this instance) shall process sensitive data if, “the processing of data is authorised by a law or any regulation for any other reason constituting substantial public interest.”
Section 21 (3) of the Electoral Act legally authorises the Commission to within a reasonable period of time provide any person who requests it, and who pays the prescribed fee a copy of any voters’ roll either in printed or in electronic form as the person may request.
Therefore, ZEC is legally obligated by the Electoral Act read in line with the Data Protection Act to avail the voters’ roll data, especially as it constitutes substantial public interest as the roll is necessary for electoral participation and the realisation of political rights as envisaged by the Constitution.
The continued denial of the voters’ roll especially, to persons with a legitimate interest in the voters’ roll and free and fair elections, such as political parties, candidates and CSOs under the guise of data protection is unlawful and detrimental to the credibility of the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
The ERC repeats its calls, that the voters’ roll should be made public, as the credibility and validity of the delimitation process and the 2023 Harmonised Elections are dependent on it.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ERC Criticises ZEC For Refusing To Release Voters' Roll

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) says the sending of unsolicited political messages to mobile phone users violates the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
This comes after voters across the country have been bombarded with messages purportedly from President Emmerson Mnangagwa soliciting votes ahead of forthcoming general elections.
MISA has written a letter to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) dated 11 April asking how third parties were accessing citizens’ personal data, including phone numbers.
In the letter, MISA Zimbabwe chapter director Tabani Moyo noted that the messages were based on constituency segmentations as per the voters’ roll. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
Over the past few weeks, mobile phone users have reported receiving unsolicited political messages that are personalised and highly targeted through local and constituency-based segmentation.
The messages’ personalisation and targeted nature are closely related to the information in the voters’ roll.
There is every reason to believe that the unsolicited texts violate the Cyber and Data Protection Act which governs the use of personal biometric data.
The Act states that the use of personal biometric data in this way is prohibited unless the data subject gives consent in writing.
… In that regard, MISA Zimbabwe seeks to know how third parties have access to subscriber numbers and are sending unsolicited messages in a possible breach of the law.
</blockquote>
One of the messages sent to a subscriber reads:
<blockquote>
Kwaziwai. Iyi ndiyo WhatsApp nhamba yangu yeSeke 0719******, ichengetedzei mufoni menyu nekuzivisa vamwe vagari vemaSeke. Ndichange ndichikuzivisai paWhatsApp STATUS yangu, zvirikuitwa nehurumende kuvaka nyika yedu nemuno maSeke. Ndatenda, ndini wenyu President ED Mnangagwa.
</blockquote>
Moyo indicated that mobile telecommunication operators, that is Econet, NetOne, and Telecel, as well as Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZZEC) have denied leaking citizens’ personal information to ZANU PF.
He said POTRAZ ought to clarify the matter and ensure that citizens’ right to privacy will remain protected.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Unsolicited ED Mnangagwa Texts Illegal - MISA

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