ZIMBABWE: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - 2005 17 change only 37,744 voters. The choice that was made when establishing a new constituency in Mashonaland West might have been guided by political considerations. Seke in Mashonaland East was reduced in size in order to meet the allowed maximum number of voters. The biggest part was transferred to Marondera West. Seke changed from MDC to ZANU PF, but Marondera West increased the ZANU PF majority. One can therefore hardly conclude that the re-drawing of boundaries was the reason for change. In Manicaland the number of constituencies increased by one. The new constituency was Mutasa North, created from parts of Nyanga and Mutasa (South). Both of the former constituencies of Nyanga and Mutasa were previously held by MDC, and dividing them into three should strengthen MDC, provided there are no local conditions that we are not aware of. ZANU PF won all three constituencies this time, Mutasa South with a very small margin. Also in Manicaland the constituencies Mutare South, Chimanimani, Chipinge North and Chipinge South were adjusted, by moving all the boundaries south. This was done in order to reduce the number of voters of the latter three to below the upper limit. The constituencies are located in a row in a narrow part of the province, and moving these boundaries would be the only possible means of reducing their size. However, in the selection of wards to be moved, political choices may have been made. In Mutare South and Chimanimani, MDC lost their seats. The Bikita West constituency in Masvingo does not seem to have been changed. MDC lost their seat. In the Matabeleland North constituency Bubi-Umguza (formerly MDC) some wards were transferred to Tsholotsho (formerly ZANU PF). It was necessary to make a transfer to reduce the number of voters below the upper limit, but there was a choice of transferring to Lupane (MDC) and Hwange West (MDC) as well, since both of these had few voters. It is not possible to draw any conclusion about the choice without detailed knowledge at ward level, but a transfer out of Bubi-Umguza was necessary. In conclusion, from an overall assessment of the delimitation exercise the new constituencies of Harare South and Manyame are the most doubtful examples. Detailed local knowledge is necessary in order to evaluate the exact drawing of boundaries. The delimitation should therefore be done in consultation with all parties in order to remove all doubts about the neutrality of the process.