Citizens in Action Southern Africa NEWS Preliminary Statement 26 March by-elections

Preliminary Statement 26 March by-elections

After a two-year suspension of electoral activities, Zimbabwe finally held by-elections which were
outstanding from April 2020. On 26 May 2022, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) conducted
28 national assembly and 122 local authority elections. On election day CIASA used a mixed-method
approach to observe the polling processes. The CIASA observer mission was guided by the country’s
constitution, electoral law as well as regional and international benchmarks for the conduct of free and
fair elections in assessing the credibility of these by elections. The CIASA observers were accredited by
the electoral commission. CIASA focused its observation in three (3) constituencies Mwenezi East,
Chivi South and Dangamvura-Chikanga together with the 4 wards in Masvingo Urban that is wards 3, 4,
5 and 7.
Below is a summary of preliminary observations made by CIASA;
Polling station set-up and opening processes
● The CIASA observer team noted that all polling stations it deployed observers opened at 07.00
am as stipulated in the electoral regulations. The observers further noted that all citizen
observers were allowed access to polling stations and managed to observe all stages of the
election day.
● CIASA observers did not witness any cases of campaigns within the prescribed 300-meter
radius from a polling station.
● No major cases of violence were recorded except in Chivi South where at around 10 am on
election day
● At all polling stations visited by CIASA observers’ materials were available and in sufficient
quantities.
● In isolated cases observers reported cases of resistance by some Presiding officers in
revealing serial numbers of ballot papers upon request by some observers. This was recorded
in Chivi South, at Ngundu Catholic polling stations.
● CIASA observed that all ballot boxes and all materials were clearly labelled and
comprehensively instructive to the voters. 
● Names of voters were also displayed outside polling stations for easy access but in some
instances some voters names were missing, however some voters resorted to verify their
names on mobile platform using code the *265#.
● At all polling stations observed all poling officials were present and they were generally
receptive to voters and conducted themselves in a professional manner.
● Some polling stations, especially at schools in ward 7 Masvingo Urban such as Shakashe A
and B polling stations, Ward 4 Masvingo Urban Runyararo A and B polling stations were not
accessible to persons with disabilities.

● Elections agents from all participating parties were available but there were isolated cases
where agents from CCC arrived late after voting had commenced as in the case of Ndarama
polling station Ward 5 in Masvingo.

Voting Process
● All voters before casting their votes were checked for ink on the prescribed left little finger on
whether they have voted before and this is happening in the full glare of observers and agents.
● CIASA observed cases of voters being turned away for varying reasons including non-
appearance in voters roll, attempts to use drivers licences and expired passports to vote.
● Observers noted cases of redirected voters who would have visited wrong polling sites. Such
voters indicated lack of awareness.
● CIASA observed that those requiring assistance to vote received adequate support as required
by the electoral law
● A significantly low number of voters turned up at most polling stations bringing fears of a low
voter turnout.
Close of poll and counting
● Overall, at most polling stations counting was done in a transparent and accurate manner,
however, CIASA noted limited instances where party agents refused to sign on V11 forms.
● CIASA noted significant delays in the collation, counting and announcement of results, this was
attributed to notable mistakes in capturing the V11 forms by the presiding officers.
Recommendations
● Intensive civic and voter education must be extended to both election officials and the general
public
● There is need to raise awareness on the usage of the voters roll and there is need to
encourage usage of the virtual platform
● There is need to raise awareness among PWDs to participate in all levels of development
particularly political events like the by-elections

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