Members of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Parliament to express their rejection of the preliminary delimitation report that was presented to MPs on Friday.
Nine out of the nine commissioners support holding elections using the previous delimitation recommendations.
The report established new boundaries that have an immediate impact on resource distribution, service delivery, and general community development, according to the commissioners, who claimed it was impossible for them to create a new voter list given the amount of time left before this year’s general election.
Additionally, they said that the new report lacked openness.
“Further recognising that the 2023 harmonised elections should be conducted in the next few months, and the need for the commission to create a voters roll that resonates with the new boundaries,” reads the letter
“This is impossible with the remaining time; concerned that the current draft delimitation proposal does not meet the minimum standards expected regarding transparent procedures that strengthen stakeholders’ confidence and dispel potential gerrymandering allegations; and further concerned that the current draft delimitation proposal is not people-centred and not in an understandable format.
“We hereby resolve to put aside the current draft delimitation proposal except as a reference point for a proper delimitation process to be conducted and wholly guided by commissioners after the 2023 harmonised elections.”
