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ZESN analysis of polling stations from the 2013 constitutional referendum for the 2013 harmonized elections
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
May 09, 2013

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Summary

As part of is overall observation effort and in advance of the Harmonised elections (anticipated in 2013), the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) conducted an analysis of the list of polling stations used for the 16 March 2013 Constitutional Referendum, with a view to identifying specific areas for the attention of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to ensure that all voters will have a reasonable and equal opportunity to vote.

This analysis focuses on the estimated eligible voters per polling station because there is a limit to the number of voters which a polling station can reasonably process in a twelve hour period (7am to 7pm). The analysis also takes into account differences between urban and rural areas. Urban polling stations can generally accommodate more voters than rural polling stations. Rural areas generally require more polling stations so people do not have to travel inordinate distance to be able to exercise their right to vote.

Findings

• Using 2012 Census data and age structure data from the 2002 Census, ZESN estimates the number of eligible voters for the 2013 Harmonised Elections at 6,365,411.
• Based on the 2013 Constitutional Referendum list of polling stations, ZESN calculated a national average of 673 estimated eligible voters per polling station - which is similar to 2008 when there were 606 registered voters per polling station.
• The 2013 pattern by province of estimated eligible voters per polling station is very similar to the 2008 pattern with more estimated eligible voters per polling station for the urban provinces of Bulawayo and Harare (1,130 and 1,466 respectively) than the other eight - provinces which are distinctly more rural (all under 700).
• ZESN identified four urban wards with a very high number of estimated eligible voters per polling station (more than 3,750) and 19 urban wards with a high number estimated eligible voters per polling station (between 2,001 and 3,750). It is our view that ZEC should therefore consider - creating additional polling stations in these wards.
• ZESN identified seven rural wards with a very high number of estimated eligible voters per polling station (more than 2,000) and 14 rural wards with a high number of estimated voters per polling station (between 1,501 and 2,000) which again will very likely need additional polling stations.
• ZESN identified a further 81 urban wards and 107 rural wards with moderately high number of estimated eligible voters per polling stations (between 1,251 and 2,000 in the case of urban wards and between 1,001 and 1,500 for rural wards) for which the ZEC may need to add polling stations.
• Overall, 232 of 1964 (12%) of wards should be reviewed by the ZEC in advance of the Harmonised Elections with an eye to increase the number of polling stations.

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