Introduction
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) continues to observe the pre-election
environment and key electoral processes in Mutoko North constituency ahead of the byelection set for Saturday 24 November 2018. This Long Term Observers’ (LTOs) report covers
the period from 28 October to 10 November 2018.
ZEC Preparations
ZEC preparations in the run up to the by-election are reported to be on course. For instance,
LTOs reported that by 10 November, the ZEC Constituency office and Ward offices had been
opened.
Voter Education
During the period under review, ZESN carried out CVE activities in the Constituency such as
distribution of voter education materials and training of Faith Based Organisations (FBOs)
and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) on civic and voter education. In addition, LTOs
reported that ZEC, Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), Community Based Organisations
(CBOs) and political parties were conducting Voter Education (VE) on the election date and
polling station location using the local language. Voter education efforts by FBOs mainly
targeted women and youth while political parties also targeted women, youth, and illiterate
voters. For instance, in Ward 2 a local CBO, Youth Initiatives Mutoko organised sports
tournaments where the electorate were urged to participate peacefully in the by-election
and distributed materials such as t-shirts and flyers.
ZEC Voter education
posters are visible
throughout the
Constituency. This
poster was posted
on a tree in Ward 5
by a ZEC voter
education team.
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