Harare -The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has suspended all electoral activities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic’s raging second wave in which new infections have spiked in recent weeks.

As of 6 January, Zimbabwe had recorded 17 804 Covid-19 cases 11 966 recoveries and 431 deaths.

In a press release, the electoral body said the suspension of electoral activities was a direct response to the announcement made by the Health and Child Care Ministry for the nation to adopt stringent national Covid-19 lockdown measures.

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to announce that it is suspending with immediate effect all electoral activities which bring groups of people together until further notice,” said ZEC chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana in a statement.

He added that a skeletal staff will continue to man the Commission offices under strict Covid-19 health measures.

Silaigwana however, said the filling of Proportional Representation seats will continue “as this exercise does not put the health of those involved at risk”.

Last year, government banned the holding of by-elections, on grounds of the risks these posed in spreading COVID-19.

Zimbabwe, was supposed to hold parliamentary and local government by-elections before the end of the year to fill vacancies which have arisen, chiefly from the massive recalls of opposition parliamentarians and councillors.
New Ziana