News / Local
Poor turn out for Nkulumane by-election
20 Dec 2015 at 11:37hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has reported that the Nkulumane by election which was won by the Zanu PF candidate Killian Sibanda was marred with poor turnout signifying that the parties which were participating in the election were not popular.
"ZESN observer reports show that the turnout was generally low with voters trickling in throughout the day. Most of those who turned out to vote were mostly women with a significantly low number of youths turning out to cast their votes," said ZESN.
"The low voter turnout for the Nkulumane by-election is consistent with trends during all the 2014 and 2015 by-elections. These trends may be attributed to the fact that major opposition political parties have not participated in the by-elections, and also the timing of this by-election which coincides with the festive season where people travels to different holiday destinations. Another contributing factor could be that the by-election was held during the festive season."
ZESN recommended that government should speed up
alignment of electoral related laws with the Constitution to ensure the
creation of a conducive electoral environment that guarantees the
respect and enjoyment of universal suffrage and fundamental freedoms.
"The continued use of two voters' rolls reveals the need for ZEC to come up with a more comprehensive voter registration methodology that ensures
20 December 2015-ZESN observed the Nkulumane National Assembly by-election held on 19 December 2015 as part of its oversight role in the promotion of democratic elections in Zimbabwe," said ZESN. "The seat fell vacant following the death on 5 October, 2015 of the MDC-T incumbent for the constituency Thamsanqa Mahlangu. The by-election was contested by three political parties namely ZANU PF, Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) and Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) as the MDC formations maintained their "no reforms no elections" campaign."
ZESN also urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to venture into voter education programmes that lure the youth and other voters in general to fully participate in electoral processes.
"ZESN observer reports show that the turnout was generally low with voters trickling in throughout the day. Most of those who turned out to vote were mostly women with a significantly low number of youths turning out to cast their votes," said ZESN.
"The low voter turnout for the Nkulumane by-election is consistent with trends during all the 2014 and 2015 by-elections. These trends may be attributed to the fact that major opposition political parties have not participated in the by-elections, and also the timing of this by-election which coincides with the festive season where people travels to different holiday destinations. Another contributing factor could be that the by-election was held during the festive season."
"The continued use of two voters' rolls reveals the need for ZEC to come up with a more comprehensive voter registration methodology that ensures
20 December 2015-ZESN observed the Nkulumane National Assembly by-election held on 19 December 2015 as part of its oversight role in the promotion of democratic elections in Zimbabwe," said ZESN. "The seat fell vacant following the death on 5 October, 2015 of the MDC-T incumbent for the constituency Thamsanqa Mahlangu. The by-election was contested by three political parties namely ZANU PF, Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) and Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) as the MDC formations maintained their "no reforms no elections" campaign."
ZESN also urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to venture into voter education programmes that lure the youth and other voters in general to fully participate in electoral processes.
Source - Byo24News
