By Kelvin Wilson Kasiwulaya
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has released a report affirming the necessity of maintaining the current system of harmonized elections in the country, which allows voters to cast ballots for the presidency, parliamentary seats, and local councils simultaneously.
This system, introduced on October 30, 2007, and reaffirmed in the 2013 Constitution, has been advocated by ZESN as crucial for promoting political stability and democratic development in Zimbabwe.
According to the ZESN report, harmonized elections help mitigate cycles of violence and human rights violations often associated with electoral periods. “Data on trends of violence shows that non-election periods in Zimbabwe are comparatively peaceful to election periods,” the report states.
ZESN emphasizes that synchronizing elections could also enhance corporate confidence, as investments tend to dip during election years—an average of 4.8% reduction in expenditures compared to non-election years.
The report highlights a promising correlation between synchronized elections and higher voter turnout. For instance, countries like Botswana and Sweden have seen participation rates above 80% during their simultaneous elections. In comparison, de-harmonized elections in Namibia and South Africa resulted in significantly lower turnout, often below 50%.
ZESN contends that harmonized elections foster competitive political environments. Historically, localized elections in Zimbabwe have been dominated by the ruling party, with substantial numbers of seats won uncontested. “Prior to the synchronization of elections, local government elections in Zimbabwe were overwhelmingly one-sided,” the report mentions, indicating a need for a more balanced electoral landscape.
ZESN argues against amending Zimbabwe’s Constitution and electoral laws, stating that the underlying issues in the electoral process are not due to the harmonization itself. The organization advocates for a fixed date for elections, akin to practices in Sweden and the United States, which would enhance procedural certainty and fairness among candidates.
Additionally, the financial implications of conducting harmonized elections versus staggered elections are significant. ZESN points out that the cost of conducting multiple elections can burden the national treasury.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spent over $133 million on the recent August 2023 elections, but subsequent by-elections in December led to a disproportionate cost of $5 million for just eight legislative and twelve council seats. “Setting up the infrastructure of elections once is much cheaper than conducting it multiple times,” ZESN stated, suggesting potential financial savings could then be redirected toward development and social welfare programs.
ZESN’s report underscores the value of maintaining harmonized elections in Zimbabwe, not only to promote peaceful political processes but also to enhance voter turnout and reduce financial burdens on the government.