The Election Resource Centre (ERC) welcomes proclamation 26 March 2022 as the day for by-
elections through Statutory Instrument 1 of 2022 by the President of Zimbabwe. The SI 1 of 2022
orders election to fill vacant parliamentary seats as provided for in section 38 of the Electoral Act.
The ERC has long maintained that the Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 which had suspended
by-elections was illegal. Essentially, this explains the President’s proclamation of by-elections,
setting aside SI225A of 2020. The ERC now calls on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)
to proclaim the outstanding local authority by-elections according to Electoral Act Section121 (1)
b) (ii).
ERC would like to urge the electoral commission to take the opportunity of the 26 of March 2022
by-elections to implement the administrative reforms that do not require the legislature or the
executive to take effect. Particularly all the elements that ensure that the electoral processes are
more transparent and open i.e inclusion of stakeholders in the processes, availing the voters roll
and other materials openly.
Conclusively, we urge the ZEC, Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe, Civics
and Political Parties to critically reflect and agree on a roadmap on electoral reforms especially
issues raised by the 2018 harmonized local and international election observer missions. The
scheduled by-elections must be used as a measure to test the country’s preparedness for a free,
fair and credible election in the upcoming 2023 Harmonized elections. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to implement electoral reforms.
ERC Press Statement on Proclamation of by-elections
The Election Resource Centre (ERC) welcomes proclamation 26 March 2022 as the day for by-
elections through Statutory Instrument 1 of 2022 by the President of Zimbabwe. The SI 1 of 2022
orders election to fill vacant parliamentary seats as provided for in section 38 of the Electoral Act.
The ERC has long maintained that the Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 which had suspended
by-elections was illegal. Essentially, this explains the President’s proclamation of by-elections,
setting aside SI225A of 2020. The ERC now calls on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)
to proclaim the outstanding local authority by-elections according to Electoral Act Section121 (1)
b) (ii).
ERC would like to urge the electoral commission to take the opportunity of the 26 of March 2022
by-elections to implement the administrative reforms that do not require the legislature or the
executive to take effect. Particularly all the elements that ensure that the electoral processes are
more transparent and open i.e inclusion of stakeholders in the processes, availing the voters roll
and other materials openly.
Conclusively, we urge the ZEC, Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe, Civics
and Political Parties to critically reflect and agree on a roadmap on electoral reforms especially
issues raised by the 2018 harmonized local and international election observer missions. The
scheduled by-elections must be used as a measure to test the country’s preparedness for a free,
fair and credible election in the upcoming 2023 Harmonized elections. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to implement electoral reforms.
