By Derick Tsimba

Speaking through a press release, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) stated that the holding of by-elections remains suspended in line with the Public Health Covid-19 Regulation until the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable pandemic has been lifted.

“The ZEC would like to inform the public that, while it has lifted the suspension placed on the conduct of electoral activities which it had put in place as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19, it is important for it to heed advice from the necessary authorities and take the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the virus.

“The Commission thus advises that the holding of by-elections remains suspended in line with the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No.4) being S.I. 225A of 2020, until the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable pandemic has been lifted. Please be advised that the conduct of other electoral activities will resume in line with the Ministry of Health and Child Care protocols as well as the guidelines established by the Commission on sanitization, wearing of face masks and social distancing,” said ZEC.  

The Commission also said the prolonged suspension of by-elections owing to the prevalence of the Covid-19 pandemic is a response to public health concerns and permissible in a democratic society in terms of Section 86(2) (b) of the constitution.

ZEC refuted suggestions that it had fixed election dates for conducting Parliamentary by-elections.

“Any suggestions that the Commission had fixed the date for the conduct of by-elections are thus erroneous, and proposals made by the Commission on possible suitable dates should not be construed as the actual fixing of by-election dates,” said ZEC.