The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission(ZEC) has lifted the suspension of electoral activities and electoral timelines for all pending by-elections.

According to a statement, ZEC said electoral timelines are set to be published in due course.
Electoral activities had been temporarily suspended as the country battled to contain the spread of COVID-19.

ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba, all necessary and prescribed health measures to curb the spread of the virus will be monitored as electoral activities take place.

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to inform the public that is has lifted with immediate effect the suspension of electoral activities with immediate effect the suspension of electoral activities following measures taken by the government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the statement.

“Electoral timelines for all pending by-elections will be published in the press through notices in due course.

“The COVID-19 Policy on Electoral Activities which outlines how by-elections and other electoral activities will be conducted without exposing those involved to health risks.”

Some constituencies in the country have been left vacant due to rivalry wars in the MDC party as the Dr Thokozani Khupe-led faction has recalled 13 legislators aligned to MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa this year.

Vacancies arose in line with Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) as amended.
The recalled legislators are Messrs Amos Chibaya (Mkoba), Murisi Zwizwai (Harare Central), Happymore Chidziva (Highfield West), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura), Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East).

Others are Proportionate Representatives Bacilia Majaya, Macharairwa Mugidho, Virginia Muradzikwa, Annah Myambo, Francisca Ncube, Nomathemba Ndlovu, Thabitha Khumalo (proportional representation) and Senator Lillian Timveos (Midlands).
The recalls were pursuant to Section 129 (k) of the Constitution.

It states as follows: “The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the Member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the Member has ceased to belong to it.”