Fredrick Moyo
The just ended much awaited by-elections were sadly marred by a massive voter apathy with only 35 percent of eligible voters casting their votes and this could repeat itself in the upcoming 2023 polls if ever the March 26 elections are anything to by.
At stake were 28 parliamentary seats and 105 local government wards that are up for grabs in the by-elections left vacant due to recalls and death. The main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change won 19 out of 28 parliamentary constituencies while the other nine went to Zanu PF.
However it is the voter turnout that characterize these polls that has raised eyebrows as in Masvingo province, urban council elections saw 26 percent of the voters taking to the polls while in the rural areas a 50.1 percent was witnessed.
Speaking to TellZim News political analyst Dr Gift Gwindingwe said voter apathy might repeat itself in the harmonized elections set for 2023 as by-elections are a barometer to measure the political temperature in the country.
“By-elections can be taken as a barometer that has been used to measure political body temperature of Zimbabwe that is to measure the democratic elasticity of our political participants and it has also been used to test even potential of the main contesting political parties that is Zanu PF and CCC so what it definitely means is that both sides have noted their potentials, strengths and weaknesses and I want to believe they are working on such strengths and weaknesses because what has happened is partly a true reflection of the growth of the democratic space in Zimbabwe,” said Gwindingwe.
He also added that there will be stiff competition in the upcoming general elections as both parties will try and capitalize on their strengths, also work on their weaknesses and urge political parties not to talk much about vote rigging as it demotivates the electorate.
“My projection of the upcoming 2023 polls is that the competition is going to be very tense and each political party that has an ambition to win must pull up their socks, do their homework and fulfil their promises as people do not want to be taken for a ride.
“Regarding voter apathy, I have a totally different perception altogether, this idea of speculating about vote rigging can keep away voters so I think this speculation about rigged elections before it is rigged can keep away certain voters. So it is high time we do not hyperbolise and exaggerate some of these issues, contesting political parties should not shift blame especially those represented in parliament because it is in parliament that they should amend the laws,” added Gwindingwi.
He also said that youth participation is questionable in the electoral process hence there is massive voter apathy because the youth form the bulk of population in the country.
“Youth participation is questionable especially during elections and their reluctance to register to vote. The youth form the bulk of the population and if they have to participate in the electoral processes, definitely voter turnout will be good for the nation. The youth need to be properly socialised into the essence of voter registration and participating in voting and exercising their right to vote,” added Dr Gwindingwe.
Youth Decide Executive Director Learnmore Munhangu said they are concerned with the voter apathy as the youth were so reluctant and unconcerned with casting their vote in the just ended by-elections.
“As a youth-driven organization, we are so worried with the just ended by-elections results. The elections were marred with massive voter apathy. Citizens, especially the youth, were so reluctant and unconcerned.
“Apprehending from the past and not only in Zimbabwe, the voter turnout was very low during by-elections. Citizens prefer to vote just once in every five years. We expect a positive change in 2023 general elections,” said Munhangu.
He also said ZEC and other stakeholders should encourage citizens to register to vote so that the turnout improves.
“We implore with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to engage more stakeholders especially youth organizations and associations in mobilizing citizens to register to vote as well as turning out on election day. The situation can improve only if all forces join hands towards the intended goal. We want masses to determine their future,” said Munhangu.
Another political analyst Dr Davison Mugodzwa said the 2023 general elections will not be affected by voter apathy as citizens have seen the outcome if they do not participate in the voting processes.
“I do not think that the same scenario is going to be repeated. The youth and citizens have seen the results of the just ended by-elections and many who remained sceptical that they will not go and vote because elections are rigged have seen the outcome and I think a lot of people will go out in their numbers to vote,” said Mugodzwa.
He also added that CCC will gain more support in the urban areas and ZANU PF will remain strong in rural areas if the political field remains the same.
“If the situation remains the same on the political arena, CCC is likely to have overwhelming support in the urban areas because the electorate in this area is angry and hungry therefore the policy of the stomach will prevail as it has been evidenced with the just ended by-elections. In urban areas, people responded to their daily meal and the economy is biting therefore people will go for a party that is likely to solve their economic and political problems.
“In rural areas as it has been evidenced, Zanu PF is likely to remain strong if state apparatus deny CCC progression into rural areas to market their projects or ideas will have little impact in rural areas and this is going to repeat itself in 2023,” added Magodzwa.
Another political analyst Proffessor Nhamo Mhiripiri said voters have a tendency of not casting their votes during by-elections hence the upcoming 2023 general elections will not be affected by voter apathy.
“I would not worry much about voter apathy next year. The stakes will be high with more interests drived from the presidential elections. That one alone can induce interest around voting for MPs and councilors, since citizens throughout the country will vote for various representatives at the same time. Mind you, in most cases in the by-elections voters vote for one representative instead of the usual three,” said Prof Mhiripiri.
The recently held elections saw limited participation in terms of voters as most people feel the elections are of little significance as compare to presidential elections usually associated with more hype than local authority and parliamentary elections.
