Harare(New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Wednesday suspended all of the country’s electoral activities with immediate effect due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Zimbabwe recorded its first Covid-19 related death on Monday, while two other patients are in hospital. As a precaution, the government has announced a raft of measures to limit the spread of the pandemic, and to treat infected people.

Part of the measures include rotational work shifts for civil servants, closure of the country’s borders, schools, colleges and universities, and cancellation of all sporting and entertainment events.

In a statement, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the suspension affects a by-election in ward 16 of the Chiredzi Rural District Council scheduled for 4 April, 2020.

“The suspension affects the conduct of a by-election which was due to be held in Ward 16 of Chiredzi Rural District Council on 4 April 2020 and the filling of any vacancy which may arise during this period. New dates for the conduct of any by-election will be notified in due course,” said Chigumba.

“The Commission is taking several precautionary measures to protect its employees and the general public from infection,” she added.

New Ziana