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Election Resource Centre Zimbabwe (ERC) has urged Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to address concerns raised by the stakeholders on the Preliminary Delimitation Report.
In a statement ERC highlighted that the methodologies used to calculate the variance potentially discredits the delimitation process.
“On the 26th December 2022, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission took significant step towards fair representation for all Zimbabwean voters by submitting the Preliminary Delimitation Report to the President of Zimbabwe. The Preliminary Report presents the wards and constituencies as delimited by the Commission during the delimitation exercise.
“While the report has generally resulted in a more equitable distribution of voters across the 210 constituencies in Zimbabwe, the ERC notes concerns raised by stakeholders on the report. Main concerns being the calculation of the allowable variance for the number of registered voters per constituency and ward.
ERC added that failure to address issues raised may result in the contesting of the final delimitation report and this will affect its use in the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
“The alleged erroneous methodology used to calculate the variance potentially discredits the delimitation process.
“The underlying principle of delimitation process is to ensure the equality of the vote. Hence, the ERC urged the Commission to address the concerns raised by the stakeholders. The failure to adequately address the issues raised may result in the final delimitation report being contested and thus affecting its use for the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
“A return to the pre-existing 2007/2008 boundaries goes against the principles of the equality of the vote as the boundaries goes against the principles of the equality of the vote as the boundaries of the current constituencies and wards are grossly unequal. Inclusivity and transparency in addressing the concerns raised will ensure buy-in of all relevant stakeholders.
They further called out all stakeholder to step up and address the issues brought up and carry out their mandates.
“The Electoral Commission is expected to ensure maximum transparency of the procedures and their outcome. This is vital to guarantee the credibility of the electoral process, secure the confidence of the voters and respect the aspirations of the Constitution.
“Given the short time remaining for the delimitation report to be adopted for the 2023 Harmonised Election. ERC calls on all significant stakeholders, in particular the Electoral Commission, Parliament, and Political Parties, set up, address the issues brought up, and carry out their mandates.”
Yesterday, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) blasted the ZEC’s Preliminary Delimitation Report reiterating that they manipulated boundaries of constituencies in favour of Zanu PF. CCC also highlighted that the preliminary Delimitation Report is gerrymandering.
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