Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced the commencement of a process to transfer some of its key functions to other institutions following the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026.
In a public notice issued yesterday, ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said voter registration, the compilation, custody and maintenance of voters’ rolls and registers have been transferred to the Registrar-General, while the delimitation of constituencies, wards and other electoral boundaries has been assigned to the Delimitation Commission.
The electoral body said it was already engaging relevant Government authorities to facilitate a smooth transition of the affected functions.
“Following the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026, which transfers the function of voter registration, the compilation of voters’ rolls and registers, the custody and maintenance of voters’ rolls and registers, to the Registrar-General and transfers the delimitation of constituencies, wards and other electoral boundaries to the Delimitation Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to advise the public that the handover of those aspects of its mandate that have been transferred to other institutions is a process that it is engaged with,” said Justice Chigumba.
She said ZEC was in the process of consulting the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and anticipated receiving transitional subsidiary regulations that would establish a comprehensive framework for the handover and takeover of the affected functions.
Justice Chigumba said the regulations would provide clear guidelines and operational procedures to govern the transition process and ensure that there is no disruption to electoral administration during the transfer period.
She reassured stakeholders that despite the transfer of some responsibilities, the commission remained fully operational and capable of executing its constitutional mandate.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it remains fully equipped and operationally prepared to continue to discharge its core mandate as specified in Section 239 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” she said.
Under Section 239 of the Constitution, ZEC retains responsibility for preparing, conducting, and supervising elections and referendums, and for ensuring that they are conducted efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.
The commission will also continue to design, print, and distribute ballot papers; approve the form of ballot boxes and procure them; and establish and operate polling centres.
Other functions that remain under ZEC include conducting and supervising voter education, accrediting observers of elections and referendums, issuing instructions to persons employed by the State or local authorities for the proper conduct of elections and receiving and considering complaints from members of the public.
Justice Chigumba said further announcements would be made as the transition process unfolds and more details become available.
“ZEC remains committed to ensuring a seamless and lawful transition of functions to the designated institutions,” she said.
The Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026, introduced significant changes to the administration of electoral processes in Zimbabwe by separating voter registration and delimitation responsibilities from the electoral management body.
The amendment has generated considerable public interest as it alters functions that have historically been undertaken by ZEC since its establishment as an independent constitutional commission.
Political parties, civil society organisations and election stakeholders are expected to closely follow the transition process as Government moves to operationalise the new constitutional framework.
The latest notice provides the clearest indication yet that implementation of the constitutional changes is now underway, with affected institutions working towards establishing the legal, administrative and operational mechanisms required to assume their new responsibilities.
