Executive Summary
The process of delimitation of electoral boundaries remains critical to any electoral
outcome in Zimbabwe. In the past, this process has not been conducted in a timely
and transparent manner. It has also been open to political manipulation, with one
political party having more access to information and also directly and indirectly
influencing migration of voters ahead of the delimitation exercise, or before the actual
polls, in its favour. Forced migration through displacement as a result of forced
demolitions as well as political violence, for example, has led to rural to urban
migration. Those displaced have not been accurately reflected in polls and have been
unable to vote due to an inefficient voter registration system. There are also a number
of gaps in the legal framework on boundaries as it exists today. In spite of these
challenges, and the great implication delimitation processes have on electoral
outcomes, the outcomes of delimitation have never been formally challenged in the
courts or through any other formal process. While there is no certainty on the timing
of the next delimitation, the Zimbabwe Election Commission must rely on
information such as population data that is produced by other government
departments. There is also need to have a reliable, accurate voters roll in place in
order for the process to produce accurate electoral boundaries. This process can
however only be conducted subject to adequate legal and administrative reforms and
the finalisation of other electoral related process that produce information for fair
redistricting and delimitation of electoral boundaries to take place.
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