      The African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women The International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chapter 12, Section 238 of the Constitution establishes the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The ZEC is responsible for the conduct and supervision of the registration of voters, all public elections and referenda. As one of the Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy, the Constitution guarantees the independence of the ZEC in the exercise of its functions and mandate. Section 235 of the Constitution states that the Independent Commissions ‘are independent and are not subject to the direction or control of anyone; must act in accordance with [the] Constitution; and must exercise their functions without fear, favour or prejudice’. The commission is required to submit a report to Parliament at least once a year on its programme of work through the appropriate minister. Although Section 235(1) prescribes that the commission is ‘accountable to Parliament’ and Section 235(2) prescribes that the state ‘must protect [the Commission’s] independence, impartiality, integrity and effectiveness’, the Minister of Justice holds the commission’s portfolio. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission comprises the chairperson and eight other commissioners. The chairperson must be a judge, a former judge or person qualified for appointment as a judge. The President, following consultations with the Judicial Services Commission and the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, appoints the chairperson. The eight other commissioners are also appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. Commissioners are appointed for a six-year term and may be appointed for an additional term. No person can serve more than 12 years. Justice Priscilla Chigumba, Judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe, was appointed Chairperson of the ZEC on 31 January 2018. For the management and discharge of the operational aspects of elections, there is a Secretariat which is headed by the chief electoral officer. The chief electoral officer is appointed by the ZEC and is the chief executive, managing the affairs and property of the commission. She or he is the accounting officer of the commission. The Electoral Act prescribes the decentralisation of the ZEC, on which basis the ZEC has established 10 provincial offices and 63 district offices. For the conduct of elections, the commission seconds additional personnel from the employment of the state. Working with the Health Services Board and the Public Service Commission, 14