Changes In Voting Patterns Research Articles

Factors affecting voting behaviour and voting patterns in Zimbabwes 2008 harmonized elections

Elections in Zimbabwe 2008 reflected a changing behaviour and pattern that has existed since her attainment of independence in 1980. History has it that the ruling ZANU PF has always had a sweet and easy victory over the opposition. The 2008 elections reflected a different picture. The 2008 elections were unique not only in as far as results are concerned but also in as far as the indirect and direct players’ contributions. The uniqueness was manifested in behaviour of the voters and the parties themselves. There were many political contesters and many offices up for grabs at once. These were the first elections that failed to produce an outright winner for the office of president and led for the first time to a runoff since independence. A number of questions have arisen as to the changes in voting patterns. The papers therefore seek to analyze the factors beneath the manifestation of the trend changes. The paper will round off by pontificating about the future of voting patterns in Zimbabwe. Key words: Elections, voting patterns and behaviour, Internal and external factors, free and fair elections.