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Low turn out in Zaka East Parliamentary By-election
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
June 10, 2007

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) fielded 33 accredited observers in the Zaka East House of Assembly by-election held on 9th June 2007. Polling was characterized by a low voter turnout and by mid-day, most polling stations were deserted.

The by-elections were generally peaceful and calm. ZESN observers did not witness any incidents of political violence or intimidation nor did the organisation receive reports to that effect. At the polling stations where ZESN observers witnessed opening, polling started on time with all the opening procedures being followed. The observers noted that there were adequate materials at these stations. The majority of the polling officials in the constituency conducted themselves in a professional manner.

ZESN is however concerned by the unusually high number of assisted voters at some polling stations. Of note is Chigwagwa Primary School where 68 out of 451 voters were assisted to vote. At Gumbu Primary School 50 voters were assisted out of a total of 387 voters. Citizens must be enabled to cast their votes on their own in order to safeguard the secrecy of their vote. ZESN further urges reform to allow voters to bring a trusted friend or relative as the current system where voters are assisted by the presiding officer in the presence of a police officer, compromises the voter's fundamental right to vote in secret.

Observers also noted that the participation of the youth remained low, as the majority of young people seem uninterested in the process. There were also incidences of prospective voters being turned away for various reasons. ZESN observers noted that people were turned away because they did not appear on the voters' roll or did not have proper identification particulars. Some voters brought copies of passports and birth certificates or bankbooks. In a number of incidences voters had the green waiting passes, which were faded or did not have the holders' photographs.

The need for comprehensive and continuous mobile voter registration process coupled with the mobile issuance of national identity cards cannot be overemphasized if Zimbabwe is to achieve an inclusive and participatory electoral process.

ZESN continues to call for the creation of a completely new voters roll, to build the electorate's confidence in the electoral process. It also encourages the electorate to value the importance of inspecting their names in the voter's roll and more importantly to take part in all elections, as a way of influencing the governance trends in the country.

ZESN believes that a low voter turn out reduces the credibility of any election. This calls for an intensive voter education exercise by all stakeholders.

Visit the ZESN fact sheet

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