Perceptions of the Electorate on Electoral Integrity in the Zimbabwe 2018 General Elections: A Case Study of Zvishavane District

Abstract

Electoral integrity is key to the achievement of democracy the world over and gives opportunities for citizens to participate in their daily livelihoods and hold their leaders accountable. Elections seem to have varying perceptions on their achievement of these objectives, hence, it was the purpose of this research to investigate the perceptions of the electorate in Zimbabwe on the 2018 Harmonized Elections using the case study of the electorate in Wards 8 and 15 (representing the Ngezi urban and Runde rural) constituencies) of the Zvishavane District, respectively. The conceptual framework was constructed from the two variables namely; elections and electoral integrity. Methodologically, the research design was qualitative in nature with reliance on the use of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions as well as secondary data. Data was analyzed through coding, content analysis and thematic analysis. The key findings indicated that despite improvements in some of the electoral processes and systems, the 2018 harmonized elections in the selected wards in the Zvishavane District did not pass the benchmark of electoral integrity. The level of electoral integrity achieved varied in the different phases of the elections, specifically that it was high in the post electoral period, moderate during the electoral period and very low in the post-electoral period and lastly that contested electoral legitimacy has a negative impact on the well being of citizens. The major recommendations of the study include that; there is need for all stakeholders in the holding and management of elections such as the media, civil society, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, traditional leaders and political parties to fully implement electoral reforms. In addition, the study recommended that there should be checks and balances on the influence of the Executive over the appointments of commissioners of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Judiciary by giving more power to the Legislature which comprises of representatives of the people. Lastly the study recommended that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should review the 2018 general elections and implement reforms suggested by all stakeholders to avoid recurrence of the same issues being raised in the forthcoming 2023 elections.