Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Once every ten years, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must conduct a delimitation of the electoral boundaries into which Zimbabwe is to be divided.
Source: Constitution of 2013, art. 161A (1): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013 (2013)
Electoral Act, art. 37A.
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/21
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers e . Geographic size of district f . Communities of interest/cultural concerns g . Other
Comments: In dividing Zimbabwe into wards and constituencies, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must, in respect of any area, give due consideration to:
1) its physical features;
2) the means of communication within the area;
3) the geographical distribution of registered voters;
4) any community of interest as between registered voters;
5) in the case of any delimitation after the first delimitation, existing electoral boundaries; and
6) its population;
and to give effect to these considerations, the Commission may depart from the requirement that constituencies and wards must have equal numbers of voters, but no constituency or ward of the local authority concerned may have more than twenty per cent more or fewer registered voters than the other such constituencies or wards.
Source: Constitution of 2013, art. 161: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013 (2013)
Verified: 2023/09/21
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
e . Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Comments: The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Source: Constitution of 2013, art. 161: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013 (2013);
Electoral Act, art.37A.
Verified: 2023/09/21
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The head of state is the president who is elected to a five year term under the 2013 Constitution.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013; art 89
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Constitution: Constitution Amendment Act (19/2009), sch 8, art. 20.1.1 & 20.1.3
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 110
http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Zimbabwe_Constitution_19th_Amendment_Act_2009.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: From the 2013 Constitution, the President is the Head of State and Government
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013; art 89, 92
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013; art 89, 92
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Parliament consists of two houses: the National Assembly and the Senate.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) Part 2, Section 118
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: The National Assembly consists of 210 members elected using single-member plurality constituencies by secret ballot from the two hundred and ten constituencies into which Zimbabwe is divided.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) Part 4, Section 124
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe: Electoral Law: Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13): Electoral Law: Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act (Chapter 2:12): Electoral Law: Referendums Act (Chapter 2:10) & Electoral Law: Political Parties (Finance) Act (Chapter 2:11).
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Zimbabwe_Constitution_19th_Amendment_Act_2009.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments: Electoral Act shall apply to - the election of members of Parliament and elections to the office of President for the purposes of the Constitution; elections to the governing bodies of councils for the purposes of the Rural District Councils Act and the Urban Councils Act.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), art. 2.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Every Zimbabwean citizen who is of or over eighteen years of age has the right to vote in all elections.
Source: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary d . Other
Comments: Multiparty liaison committees are set up by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) at national, provincial and constituency level to attempt to resolve electoral disputes; election petitions are heard by Electoral Court
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, 160A-160D, 161 & 165.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
Verified: 2023/09/25
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments: Electoral Act shall apply to - the election of members of Parliament and elections to the office of President for the purposes of the Constitution; elections to the governing bodies of councils for the purposes of the Rural District Councils Act and the Urban Councils Act.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 2.
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The funds of the Commission shall consist of moneys appropriated to the Commission by Act of Parliament to enable it to exercise its functions.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 9 (1)(a).
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The estimated revenue and expenditure of the Commission shall be itemised clearly and separately in any estimates of revenue and expenditure laid before Parliament.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 12.
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: A six-year term and may be re-appointed for one such further term, but no person may be appointed to or serve on the Commission after he or she has been a member for one or more periods, whether continuous or not, that amount to twelve years
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, art.238.(5)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: The Electoral Commission is independent.
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/electoral-management-design-2014.pdf page 394
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The EMB is composed of: 9 members.
A chairperson and eight other members appointed by the President
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, art. 61
Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/electoral-management-design-2014.pdf page 394
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The commission consists of a chairperson appointed by the President and eight other members appointed by the President.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 238
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2023/09/25
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State b . Head of Government
Comments: The ZEC is composed of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and seven other members. The Chair must be a judge or qualified to hold office as a judge and is appointed by the President after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission. The other members, of whom at least three must be women, are appointed by the President from a list of nine nominees supplied by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, art. 238
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations i . Media k . Other
Comments: Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is tasked by law with conducting voter education that is adequate, accurate and unbiased. The ZEC must ensure that voter education undertaken by others (excluding political parties) is adequate, not misleading or biased; they must be Zimbabwean citizens or registered NGOs, they must adhere to programmes and instructions of the ZEC and charge no fees; all material, trainer details and funding must be disclosed to the ZEC.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 239 (h)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 40B(1),(2), 16.
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments: Not later than one week after the publication of a proclamation or notice in terms of fixing the dates of an election, the Commission shall begin a programme of voter education directed at the electorate in the election.
Source: Zimbabwe Electoral Act 40D. http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments: The ZEC must ensure that voter education undertaken by others (excluding political parties) is adequate, not misleading or biased; they must be Zimbabwean citizens or registered NGOs, they must adhere to programmes and instructions of the ZEC and charge no fees; all material, trainer details and funding must be disclosed to the ZEC; all foreign funding must be channelled through and distributed by the ZEC.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 40(1),(2) & 16.
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Every Zimbabwean citizen who is of or over eighteen years of age has the right to vote.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 67 (3)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-constitution-of-zimbabwe-2008-1/view
Verified: 2023/09/25
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), Section 67 (2)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Registration is with constituency registrar who is subject to the supervision of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission(ZEC).
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) Part 3, Section 6
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 20(1).
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Registration voluntary and continuous. Registration closes 24 hours before nomination day.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 17A & 26A.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Zimbabwe has no law requiring registration by political parties.
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence f . Registration
Comments: Must have attained the age of 21, registered voter, and a citizen.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) Section 125
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Electoral law provides for the nomination of candidates in any election
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section (157)
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments: Every political party shall be entitled in each Parliamentary year to receive from the State sums of money.
Source: Electoral Law: Political Parties (Finance) Act, art. 3(1),(6), 5 & 6 (1)
Verified: 2023/09/25
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Based on result of previous election
Comments: Funding is distributed in proportion to the proportion of votes received in the last general election.
Source: Electoral Law: Political Parties (Finance) Act, art. 3(3).
Verified: 2023/09/25
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Political parties and candidates prohibited from receiving funds from foreign donors.There is a presumption that donations accepted by a member of a party were accepted by the party itself, unless the receiver failed to disclose the donation to the party.
Source: Electoral Law: Political Parties (Finance) Act, art. 6(1)(2).
Verified: 2023/09/25
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: After the close of the poll, counting takes place at polling stations by Presiding Officer in presence of polling officers, monitors and observers and the candidates and their election agents as are present.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 62. http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: Any political party or candidate that contested the election in the ward or constituency concerned may request the Commission to conduct a recount of votes in one or more of the polling stations in the constituency
Source: Zimbabwe electoral laws 67A (1). http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments: Electoral Act provides that every party has the right to reasonable access to the media. There is, however, no legislation to give effect to this.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 3(c)(4).
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments:
Source: European Union Election Observation Mission Final Report on Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections 2018
https://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/EU%20Election%20Observers%20Final%20Report%20Zimbabwe%202018-.pdf
Verified: 2023/09/25
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 93-101
Verified: 2023/09/25
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The constitution mentions only referendum when describing the tasks of the Electoral Commission. Besides that no direct democracy provisions can be found in the constitution.
Source: Zimbabwe Constitution 157 (1).https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Zimbabwe_2013
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2018/10/31
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2018/10/31
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/25
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections f . By mail
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 6(1)(a) & 71. http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
Verified: 2018/10/31
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
f . Diplomatic staff g . Other
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 71(1)(b),(c).http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
Verified: 2018/10/31
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies e . By mail
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 71. http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
Verified: 2018/10/31
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 57(c)(ii).http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
Verified: 2018/10/31
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