Elections in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe government consists of an elected head of state, the president, and a legislature. The presidential term lasts for 5 years, and is elected by majority, with a second round if no candidate receives a majority in the first round.[1] The Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the House of Assembly and Senate. Following the 2013 constitution, the House of Assembly has 270 members. 210 are elected for five-year terms by single-member constituencies. Furthermore, the constitution specifies that for the two first parliaments, there are 60 additional seats are reserved for women, 6 seats per province, which are filled based on the votes for in the single-member constituencies, using party-list proportional representation, distributed using the largest remainder method and the hare quota.[2][3] The Senate has 80 members: 60 are elected for five-year terms in 6-member constituencies representing one of the 10 provinces, elected based on the votes in the lower house election, using party-list proportional representation, distributed using the hare quota. Additionally the senate consists of 2 seats for each non-metropolitan district of Zimbabwe elected by each provincial assembly of chiefs using SNTV,[4] 1 seat each for the president and deputy president of the National Council of Chiefs and 1 male and 1 female seat for people with disabilities elected on separate ballots using FPTP by an electoral college designated by the National Disability Board.[2][3]
Zimbabwe is a one party dominant state; the dominant party being the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front. Opposition parties are permitted, including the MDC-T led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC-M led by Welshman Ncube, both formations of the original Movement for Democratic Change created in 1999. Recent elections (March 2008) have witnessed former ruling party finance minister Simba Makoni standing as an independent presidential candidate.
Election results
1980
1985
1990
1995
1996
- Sithole and Muzorewa withdrew during the week before balloting, but their names remained on the ballot and both received votes
2000
2002
2005
Parliament
Summary of the 31 March 2005 House of Assembly of Zimbabwe election results
Parties |
Votes |
% |
Seats |
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front |
1,569,867 |
59.6 |
78 |
Movement for Democratic Change |
1,041,292 |
39.5 |
41 |
Independents |
16,223 |
0.6 |
1 |
Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga |
6,608 |
0.3 |
0 |
Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance |
594 |
0.0 |
0 |
Zimbabwe People's Democratic Party |
61 |
0.0 |
0 |
Presidential appointees |
|
|
20 |
Ex-officio members (Chiefs) |
|
|
10 |
Total (turnout 47.7%) |
2,634,645 |
100.0 |
150 |
Registered voters |
5,658,624 |
|
Total votes cast |
2,696,670 |
Invalid votes |
62,025 |
- Source: African Elections Database
|
Senate
Summary of 26 November 2005 Senate of Zimbabwe election results
Parties |
Votes |
% |
Seats |
Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front |
449,860 |
73.71 |
43 |
Movement for Democratic Change |
123,628 |
20.26 |
7 |
Zimbabwe African National Union – Ndonga |
11,023 |
1.81 |
0 |
Independents |
9,689 |
1.59 |
0 |
Zimbabwe Youth in Alliance |
6,919 |
1.13 |
0 |
Peace Action is Freedom for All |
5,278 |
0.86 |
0 |
African National Party |
3,585 |
0.59 |
0 |
Zimbabwe African People's Union – Federal Party |
213 |
0.03 |
0 |
Multi-Racial Open Party – Christian Democrats |
100 |
0.02 |
0 |
Ex-officio members (Chiefs) |
10 |
Presidential appointees |
6 |
Total (turnout 19.5%) |
610,295 |
100.00 |
66 |
Registered voters |
3,239,574 |
|
Total votes cast |
631,347 |
Invalid votes |
21,052 |
Source: African Elections Database |
2008
2013
2018
Yet to be held.
Referendums
On 12–13 February 2000, there was a constitutional referendum for increased powers to president; these were to permit the government to confiscate without compensation white-owned land for the purpose of redistribution to black farmers, and to give government officials immunity from prosecution.
- "Yes" Votes 45.32%
- "No" Votes 54.68%
See also
References
External links