derick.khumalo
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 today Friday, ZEC 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 ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba.
Justice Chigumba said the commission was currently consulting the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and expected transitional subsidiary regulations that would provide a comprehensive framework for the handover and takeover process.
She said the regulations would provide clear guidelines and operational procedures to govern the transition and ensure continuity in the administration of electoral processes.
Justice Chigumba 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 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 and procure ballot boxes, and establish and operate polling centres.
Other functions that remain under ZEC include conducting and supervising voter education, accrediting election and referendum observers, issuing instructions to election officials and receiving and considering complaints from the public relating to electoral processes.
Justice Chigumba said further announcements would be made as the transition process unfolds.
“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 functions in Zimbabwe, separating voter registration and delimitation responsibilities from the electoral management body.
The latest notice provides the first formal indication that implementation of those constitutional changes is now underway, with Government institutions working towards operationalising the new framework.
