Zimbabwe’s General Elections: Here are 5 Useful Facts You Might Need to Know

President Emmerson Mnangagwa won the presidential election in Zimbabwe after ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba formally declared his victory. This exciting news certainly brings joy to his supporters. However, this was not felt by the supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s opposition, Nelson Chamisa. Nelson Chamisa is the opposition of Emmerson Mnangagwa who is also the leader of the Democratic Change Movement. As a result of this disagreement, Chamisa’s supporters carried out demonstrations which caused riots.

On the day of the riot, the streets of Harare city were closed and people who protested were burning tires everywhere. To stop the mass that began to be out of control, the police arrived at the location and began firing tear gas at the demonstrators. But it was not enough to stop the demonstration.

The military wearing bullet proof clothing driving armored vehicles were deployed to come to the location. While military helicopters also took part to stop the demonstration. The sound of gunfire and the screaming of the demonstrators made the atmosphere at that time were very tense. Many regretted the attitude of military who used violence to stop the demonstration. Even though at that time, the demonstrators did not carry weapons to fight them back.

This news then spread to the community when the riot incident was reported via broadcast by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). In the broadcast, Charity Charamba as the Police Spokesperson said that at least 3 people were killed in this riot. However, these 3 victims could not yet be identified.

This violence also received direct criticism from the United Nations. Through the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the political leaders and community must be able to defend themselves from all forms of violence.

Previously, the supporters of the defense party

The supporters of Nelson Chamisa rejected the final election results which stated that Emmerson Mnangagwa won 144 parliamentary votes. While Nelson Chamisa only won 61 votes which means Emmerson Mnangagwa had the right to change the constitution and won the presidential election in August 2018. To win the election, Mnangagwa has to have at least more than 50% of the votes to win without a second round.

The supporters of Nelson Chamisa consider the ZEC to be cheating because it delayed the announcement of the election’s result. The postponement of the election results was criticized by observers of the European Union elections. They said delaying the results of the election announcement could reduce the credibility of ZEC. In addition, Nelson Chamisa on his twitter account said that he had won the ‘popular votes’ and defeated the candidate from Zanu PF party Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Democracy is a pivotal aspect for Zimbabwe as a nation. One characteristic in people-based country is general election. Ever since the first election which was held in 1979 (although it is not recognized internationally due to the under-representation of native majority), Zimbabwe has held several more elections.

The elections involve all registered citizens of the country. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (or more known by its abbreviation, ZEC) is an organization that is appointed to manage elections in there. It manages the elections in all political levels, from provincial councils to president.

Basically ZEC is doing most of the works in Zimbabwe’s elections. In the preparation stage, it registers people who are eligible to vote as well as preparing ballot papers and voting centers. In the duration of election, the organization ensures that voting process runs smoothly and all the registers and rolls are compiled well.

After the election, it deals with disputes that may arise due to voting process and results. Another important role of ZEC is educating Zimbabwean people about voting and election. Luckily, there is Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZECS), and organization that has similar objective.

ZECS was established in 2000, earlier than ZEC. It wants to help achieving democratic environment in the electoral system of Zimbabwe. The organization believes that making a standardized approach to election method as well as widening the geographical coverage and coordinating election-related activities are important in achieving that objective. That way, election that is fair and free will be promoted. The results would serve for the betterment of Zimbabwean people in general.

There are several strategies that ZECS adapts in order to fulfill its main objectives. First of all, it continuously promotes better formulation of judicial framework for public election in the country. Throughout every election held since its establishment, the organization conducts monitoring and observation on the events through objective means. In addition to that, it constantly tries to educate people about the significant role of election in democratic nation. The education efforts need to be done seriously and regularly.

For a country that only gained independence in 1980, there are so many things that the citizens need to learn. Even a country that has become independent for longer time still needs to improve its democratic system, including election process. ZECS really wants to engage citizens so the participation rate in issues related to democracy and governance in Zimbabwe would increase. To do that, citizens must be informed about the impacts of voting. In addition to that, citizens must be educated in the stages of election so that they can make informed decisions.

Zimbabwe was declared an independent country in April 1980 after previously being a part of British colony. This milestone was also marked by the change of country’s name, from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. The acknowledgement of independence was a continuation to general elections held earlier in February 1980. During the elections, Robert Mugabe was appointed as the country’s first prime minister. Mugabe’s party, Zimbabwe African Nation Union (ZANU) also won 57 out of 100 seats in the parliament. The power held by this party remained strong for years to come.

First General Election

Little do people know, the first general election in Zimbabwe was not the one held in 1980. Back in April 1979, an election was conducted according to an agreement made in 1978 named Internal Settlement. Although this election aimed to transfer more power toward the majority group (native Zimbabweans), many have said that the terms were beneficial towards European minority group. Because of that, international community did not recognize the results of 1979 election. It is argued that the election did not really represent majority’s voice with the way it was designed.

Nonetheless, the first election remains to be one of the most successful elections in terms of the turnout. It is estimated that turnout for that election was around 71%. The 1979 election, which elected Bishop Muzorewa as the country’s leader, also kick started the road to independence as the country’s future direction was later disputed. At the end, a new agreement known as Lancaster House Agreement was born near the end of 1979. According to that agreement, it was decided that the country would later be granted independence.

Democracy

Ever since the first election, the country had held several successive elections. Without doubt, as the country develops there are some changes made with the aim to further support democracy within the country. One major development happened in 1990. For the first time, it was decided that a president would be directly elected by Zimbabwean people instead of by electoral college system http://178.128.214.248. According to the 1990 amendment, a presidency term lasted for 6 years. This rule was later amended to 5 years a term.

In order to ensure that election in Zimbabwe runs smoothly, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was formed in 2004. This commission is a successor to Electoral Supervisory Commission. The establishment was conducted according to primary legislation. Its main objective is to manage the country’s elections and referendums so that the voice of Zimbabwean people is well represented. This organization is considered to be nominally independent. It is led by a team of commissioners who have expertise in politics and judicial laws.

Election requires money, people, support, and legal aspect. This is what happens in Zimbabwe. This country has commission that regulates, manage, control, and prepare all elections. The name is Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. It is similar with what you find in other countries. The commission works independently and has one task to ensure the election is managed properly.

In order to implement and complete the task, the commission employs some skilled works. This is important and sensitive task. They must find the right person for the right position. Therefore, all vacancies include necessary requirements and documents as qualification.

Vacancies on Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

Zimbabwe is relatively new country. The old name was Rhodesia located in the Southern Africa. After war, the country started fresh and new with high hope for the better future. The first step was the commission that had responsibility for preparing and conducting the election. The task is not just election for presidency. Furthermore, job descriptions include elections in several levels including referendum. The latter requires the utmost preparation.

The vacancy is divided into two categories. Firstly, it is related directly with the commission. People who lead in this organization are the commissioners. Eight to nine people are selected by President and parliaments. They hold the office for several years. In that period, some elections may come and preparation must be ready.

If commissioner will reach end of his or her duty, several candidates are appointed for selection. At the end, parliaments decide the replacement. President also chooses the chairperson and deputy chairperson. Another position is Chief Elections Office. The candidates must complete some requirements and testing. Only the qualified will enter the next step. At the end, the decision is final but the candidates still have chance for the next period.

Job Position and Description

When discussing about Zimbabwe Electoral Commission vacancy, you cannot forget employees who work in the office and ruing election. For daily basic, the office has employees with various position. You can find the vacancy regarding a certain position in the official website. They will conduct selection and choose the most qualified candidate.

As similar with other vacancies, the most important thing is job position and description. For example, ZEC needs new wed designer and developer for the upcoming system. They will post this vacancy and let others to apply. Selection process is started when end of vacancy period is done. In this case, you must pay attention when the vacancy is expired.

Other positions will be available as soon as ZEC requires more people. From this point of view, the vacancy in this commission is not just people who are at the top executive. On the other side, some workers contribute to general tasks and works. They work based on their skill, position, level, and description.

Since its independence in 1980 from British rule, Zimbabwe government had introduced several electoral management system conducted by some institutions. Before 2004, the electoral process in the country conducted by the Registrar – General of Elections which was part of the government department with supervision done by the Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC).

This electoral structure was seen as a non – ideal structure since the democratic elections should be conducted by the independent institution that is not part of the government department. Therefore, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was established in 2004 as an independent institution that responsible in conducting the elections.

The Official Functions of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)

Since 2004, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has a big responsibility in conducting as well as supervising all the political election processes in the country at all level. Here are several official functions of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC):

1. Supervising the registration of voters done by Registrar – General of Voters under the Electoral Law. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is not only responsible in supervising the voters registration but also controlling and directing it.
2. Conducting all levels of political elections in Zimbabwe from the preparing process as well as the supervising process.
3. Supervising the referendums in Zimbabwe
4. Supervising the elections process at all levels in Zimbabwe to ensure that the elections are transparent, free, fair and in agreement with the regulations.
5. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) also has the responsibility to educate the voters about the general elections.
6. Inform the public about the voting results as well as all the things that correlated with the work of the ZEC and the general election process.

The Latest News of General Elections Conducted by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was successfully conducted the general elections on 30 July 2018 in Zimbabwe to elect the members of the houses of Parliament and the President of Zimbabwe. This general election was held for about eight months after the coup d’état done in 2017.

This was also the first general election where ex – President Robert Mugabe was not registered as the candidate of presidency. There were two main candidates as president of Zimbabwe in this 2018 general elections. The first candidate of president was Emmerson Mnangagwa who came from ZANU – PF political party which is the biggest party in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the main opposition of Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU – PF party was Morgan Tsvangirai who was the leader of MDC – T (Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai) political party. But, Morgan Tsvangirai who was expected as the candidate of president from MDC – T party, died on February 2018.

Therefore, Morgan Tsvangirai as the president candidate from MDC – T party was replaced by Nelson Chamisa. Nelson Chamisa was the new leader of Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai party.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or known as ZEC is an independent that manage, control, establish, and prepare all elections in Zimbabwe. This country was Rhodesia and gained new independent with new name. Today, this commission consists of nine members, including Chief and deputy chief. Forty percent of commission chairs are dedicated for women.

Brief Introduction of ZEC

After war, the new government of Zimbabwe created this commission in 2004 for preparing and managing the upcoming elections. It uses regulation based on Constitution of Zimbabwe and Electoral Act. All actions, funds, activities, people, and many thing must be approved by president and parliament. The Act is the main law that provides this commission with right for conducting all activities regarding elections.

For your information, the commission acts independently and receives funding from government. Before election such as presidency, they will prepare and create committees that will do all electoral needs and actions such as logistics, security, safety, and preparing candidates. On the other side, this commission does not have control on the political parties. As long as pass all requirements, they can participate in the next elections. This is basic thing you must know before finding how much salary in the ZEC>

Salary, Fund, and Remuneration

As independent organization, ZEC has its own salary base. In general, remuneration and salary depend on responsibility and position. For example, commissioners will receive enough salary for daily basis. The amount of money will be adjusted with inflation. Each year, they receive new salary that has been part of financial planning.

On the other, the office also requires employees who will manage and handle all necessary tasks. In this case, each will receive salary more than minimum wage. They have high responsibility to ensure this commission works as it should be. The commissioners might change after eight to nine years but employees who hold the office might be the same.

For comparison, the minimum wage in Zimbabwe is approximately $100 per month. The work and task requires education and skill. In that case, you can expect the salary at least twice or three times higher than normal wage.

On the other hand, electoral committees also receive their own remuneration. Before election, this commission will prepare all necessary supports including committees who handle and regulate the election directly. They also receive one-time payment based on their work and responsibility. The amount of money depends on election scale and level. The higher one will need more funding and spend extra money on the salary.

Job Vacancies and Titles

From explanation above, you understand that the salary of ZEC is various. Some people receive more money due to have utmost responsibility. They are commissioners who become the key people on every election. Furthermore, the election itself requires manpower such as worker and committee. They have responsibility to handle daily basis activities and supports before and after the election.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is now hiring for new staff members and the qualification has been released. But, here in this article we will talk more about the recruitment process itself so that you know what you will go through from the recruitment initiation to your first working day.

The General Criteria

Are you interested in working for Zimbabwe Electoral Commission? Here are several things you need to pay attention to in order to get yourself into the recruitment process.

• Minimum education required
• Age
• Marital status
• Gender, (male or female)
• Attitude, such as: honesty, resilience, responsibility, and diligence
• Marital status
• Placement of Work Areas Later
• Ability to work with tam
• Specific criteria such as:
• Look attractive and cheerful
• Height, such as minimum 155 cm for women, and 165 cm for men
• Absence for Shift
• No color blindness / eye glasses

There are a few position offered in Zimbabwe Electoral Commission such as the following.

• Administrative staff, the general criteria needed are: mastering the office, being able to make good reports, communicative, and have a good analysis, thorough
• Purchasing staff, general criteria needed are: good negotiation skills, analytical skills and good logic, responsive, workmanlike, hardworking
• Finance staff, have good leadership skills and master cash flow, can work with deadlines
• Taxation Staff, mastering A&B brevet taxation
• General Affairs Staff, the criteria that are generally listed are having strong leadership, understanding the work ethic, being able to work under pressure and deadline.

Well after knowing the idnplay poker qualifications needed. The most important thing when interviewing is to give the best impression of both appearance and attitude, such as being friendly and having good communication.

Selection is the first attempt by the company to get qualified and competent employees who will serve and do all the work at the company. And according to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, selection is an activity to determine and choose workers who meet the established criteria. Selection aims to decide the issue of whether an applicant is hired or not.

Whereas placement is a recommendation or decision to distribute candidates to different jobs based on an assumption about the possibilities of the candidates to succeed in each different job.

The job of the placement is to assess the candidates and to match their qualifications with the predetermined requirements of each job.

Selection Process of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

There are three components in a selection process:

• Quantity (number) of labor needed,
• Workforce qualification standards required,
• Qualifications of a number of prospective workers,

Selection and placement are a series of activities carried out to determine whether applicants are accepted or rejected, or whether or not placement of workers in new positions. The effectiveness of the selection and placement function is determined by a number of important conditions and the information needed.

Most countries in this world who applied democracy system must have their own electoral commission that serves as an organization or institution that runs political elections at all levels. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is one of the electoral institutions in this world who controls the elections in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has a long history regarding its establishment. This electoral institution was founded in 2004 by an Act of the Parliament. The establishment of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had a great influence by Electoral Supervisory Commission which was the predecessor.

The Earlier History of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)

The Republic of Zimbabwe is one of the countries in southern Africa. This country earnt their official independence from British rule on 18 April 1980. After Zimbabwe’s independence from British, a new Zimbabwe government established Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) that had the obligation to supervise the political elections at all levels in the country.

Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) also charged with supervising the management of the elections run by the Registrar – General of Elections. This electoral management system in Zimbabwe lasted until 2004 when the new electoral system was re-established.

The re-structured of new electoral management system in Zimbabwe resulted in the establishment of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in 2004. The establishment of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) came from the recommendations of various organizations, political parties as well as the government institutions such as civil society organizations and ESC.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was founded as an independent institution that is not part of the government department. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has an obligation to run and control the elections in Zimbabwe which replaced Registrar – General of Elections as well as ESC.

Beforehand, the voting process in the elections was conducted by Registrar – General of Elections as well as the registering voters. Now, Registrar – General of Elections is changed into Registrar – General of Voters that responsible in registering the voters under the supervision of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The Present Condition of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is consisted of nine commissioners. Which the regulations were constituted in the Constitution of Zimbabwe in Chapter 12 Section 238. The four of the eight Commissioners in Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has to be women, and the chairperson is not included in this proportion.

The Chairperson is appointed directly by the President of Zimbabwe. With the recommendation and consultation with the Parliamentary Committee and Judicial Service Commission beforehand. The Chairperson as well as the Deputy – Chairperson worked on a full time basis.

A person qualified as the Chairperson of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has to be a former judge or a judge from the High Court or Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the eight Commissioners of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) are shortlisted by the Parliamentary Committee. Based on their experience, integrity as well as their competence.