Treasury spent ZWL$860 billion on August general elections

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said Treasury gave it ZWL$860 billion (approximately US$188 million) to conduct the August harmonised elections.

Zimbabweans went to the polls on August 23 and 24 to elect a new President, and Parliamentary and local government representatives.

On December 9, the country will hold by-elections in 15 constituencies following the recall of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change legislators.

In its Zimbabwe 2023 harmonised election report, ZEC said Treasury funds went towards activities leading to the 2023 plebiscite and the actual election such as the acquisition of material and equipment, vehicles, equipment hire, training, welfare of election officials and related costs.

For instance, a total of 132 958 electoral officers of varying responsibilities were recruited for the 2023 harmonised elections and there were no shortages of personnel.

ZEC commended the Treasury for the timely release of the elections funding.

“Treasury allocated the commission ZWL$860 billion activities leading to the conduct of the 2023 plebiscite and the actual election. The commission procured sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and equipment through government funds. Unaudited expenditure as at 18 Sept is 612 billion (71 percent).

“Treasury availed the budget in time save for delays experienced in some circumstances which was urgently attended to. The Ministry of Finance is commended for timely releases of the budget,” said ZEC.

The remainder of the funding is expected to go towards the holding of by -elections.

ZEC also received support from the European Union funded Zim-Eco project which it said mainly covered publicity programmes and media monitoring.

The EU has since formally communicated its intention to suspend the US$$5 million that is giving ZEC due to concerns over alleged irregularities in the harmonised elections.

Some opposition aligned International Electoral Observation Missions have sought to bismirch the ZEC, accusing it of being biased towards the ruling Zanu PF party although they have not provided proof.

Like their mother countries, the biased observer missions are desperate to see the ruling party lose elections and therefore do not accept any other election result besides a win for the opposition.

New Ziana