Taking Stock of Zimbabwe’s 2018 Elections and Evaluating Prospects for Democratic, Free and Fair Elections in the Future

Abstract

In July 2018, Zimbabwe held a general election to elect the State President and members of the legislature as well as local councillors. As is the case with the previous round of elections, the credibility of the July 2018 election was disputed by some of the opposition parties as well as by some of the Zimbabwean civil society organisations. Reports by some of the international election observer missions also seem to cast doubt on whether these elections were free, fair and credible. This paper critically examines whether or not this election can be regarded as having been free, fair and credible. The paper examines the election process as it unfolded in 2018 and evaluates it against the minimum standards for a free, fair, and credible election binding on Zimbabwe. These minimum standards are stipulated in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe; the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (African Charter on Elections) as well as the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (SADC Principles and Guidelines on Elections). The paper concludes with recommendations on the nature of reforms needed to strengthen the credibility of future elections in Zimbabwe.