HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reappointed Justice Priscilla Chigumba as the head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), a move that has sparked controversy and criticism from the opposition and foreign election observer missions.
The reappointment was confirmed in a letter to Chigumba by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, stating that it will be effective from February 1, 2024.
“I am pleased to announce that His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa has, in terms of section 238 (5) of the constitution of Zimbabwe Act 2023, reappointed you as the chair of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for a period of six years with effect from February 1, 2024,” wrote Rushwaya.
Chigumba, initially appointed to the post in 2018, has overseen two general elections, the first in 2018 and the most recent in 2023.
However, the aftermath of the 2023 polls brought significant criticism from various quarters.
Following the elections, multiple observer missions raised concerns about ZEC’s handling of the voting process and the transparency of results management.
The European Union, in response, suspended its US$5 million funding for ZEC.
Additionally, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remarked that the election “failed to meet regional and international standards on democratic elections.”
Accusations were directed at ZEC for the late delivery of ballot papers to opposition strongholds and a refusal to publish polling-station based results on its website.
The controversial election, deemed a sham by the opposition, resulted in Mnangagwa securing a second term in office.
The decision to reappoint Chigumba has reignited concerns about the credibility and transparency of future electoral processes in Zimbabwe.
The opposition and various international bodies are closely monitoring developments and have expressed reservations about the decision, given the controversies surrounding the 2023 elections.
