TITLE:
A Critical Analysis of the Role of Civil Society in Zimbabwe’s 2018 Harmonized Elections
AUTHORS:
Olivia Gumbo
KEYWORDS:
Elections, Civil Society Organisations, Electoral Process
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.10 No.2,
April
28,
2020
ABSTRACT: This paper seeks to analyse the role that civil society in Zimbabwe
played in 2018 harmonised elections. The objectives of the paper were to
understand the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the electoral
process and the impact of CSOs in the electoral process and voter turn-out. The
study used qualitative methodology to gather data from secondary data, key
informants and respondents of individual interviews. The main findings of the
study are that the CSOs contributed to the improved
electoral process and increased voter turnout through their participation in
pre, during and post-electoral interventions.
The main conclusion is that the CSOs are important stakeholders in electoral
processes who play a watch dog role for Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The CSOs also
disseminate voters’ education to citizens. The study recommends the CSOs to
engage more with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and policy makers to influence the alignment of electoral laws with the
constitution and push for full implementation of electoral laws.