Analysing the Impact of the Electoral Framework in Voter Education and Registration in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of the 2013 Harmonised Elections

Abstract

The study sought to analyse the impact of voter education and voter registration in Zimbabwe and how the framework influenced the 2013 harmonised elections. The motivation of the study was the rising phenomenon of voter apathy in Zimbabwean elections. Over the years voter turnout has slowly been decreasing. It was 94 per cent in 1980, 84 per cent in 1985, 47 per cent in 1990, 52 per cent in 2000, 40.81 per cent in 2008 and 46.16 per cent in 2013. The electoral system has over the years failed to counter voter apathy chiefly due to inadequate voter education and restrictive voter registration requirements. These explain the high level of voter apathy amongst the youthful and urban population of Zimbabwe. This phenomenon has undoubtedly had a negative impact on the conduct of credible elections in Zimbabwe. The study used a mixed methodology for collecting, analyzing, and integrating quantitative and qualitative data. The research target population consisted of individual citizens, Civil Society Organizations and government institutions. Key informants were selected for their knowledge, experience and expertise on the research area. The study noted the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral laws and concluded that, in general the electoral law on voter education and registration is to a greater extent progressive but is not being implemented due to the absence of any political will. For example, the failure by the state to realign laws that are pivotal to the holding of elections with the constitution, and its failure to address the weak institutional capacity of the electoral body. This has resulted in citizens losing confidence in the electoral system hence the apathy. Lastly the study concludes that for a free and fair election, ZEC must be fully capacitated and given the space to act independently without any hindrances.