Zimbabwe

National Assembly Senate

Senate

Political system: Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 23 Aug 2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: 31 Aug 2028
Number of seats at stake: 60
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Results

About the election: President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF party (in power since independence in 1980) won the majority in both chambers of parliament. It took 175 seats in the 280-member National Assembly (see note 1) and 33 of the 60 seats at stake in the 80-member Senate. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the main opposition party, led by Mr. Nelson Chamisa, came second, winning 104 and 27 seats respectively.

In the presidential election, held in parallel with the parliamentary elections, the incumbent, President Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF), was declared elected. His main challenger, Mr. Chamisa (CCC), rejected the results, claiming irregularities, rigging of the elections and voter intimidation (see note 2).

The 2023 elections were the first to be held under the rule of President Mnangagwa, who was first elected in 2018. The key electoral issues included economic challenges, corruption and access to social services.

On 25 August 2023, the EU Election Observation Mission stated that “the election process fell short of many regional and international standards, including equality, universality, and transparency”. The UN Secretary-General expressed concerns over the arrest of observers, reports of voter intimidation and threats of violence.

Note 1:

The number of members in the National Assembly increased from 270 to 280 due to 10 additional seats reserved for candidates aged between 21 and 35. The youth quota was created by Act N.2, 2021, which amended the Constitution. The youth quota, as well as 60 seats reserved for women (which had been created under the 2013 constitutional amendments and applied to the 2013 and 2018 elections), will apply to the four Parliaments to be elected after the 2021 constitutional amendments (i.e., elections in 2023, 2028, 2033 and 2038).

Note 2:

Voting was extended into an unprecedented second day due to delays in printing ballot papers in several districts, including the capital, Harare, an opposition stronghold. Police arrested 41 election monitors, accusing them of attempting to announce results before the election commission.
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 55.0%

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group	Total
ZANU-PF	33
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)	27

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 25
Number of women elected: 35
Percentage of women elected: 58.3%
Women Directly Elected: 35
Women Indirectly Elected: 1
Other notes on the elections: Note on the parties or coalitions winning seats:

The parties or coalitions winning seats above refer to 60 directly elected senators.

The remaining seats in the Senate are filled by:

- two representatives of persons with disabilities (one male and one female);

- 18 traditional chiefs (all male): the President and Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs, and two chiefs from each of eight of the provinces (excluding the two metropolitan provinces of Harare and Bulawayo).
Sources: Parliament (12.09.2023)

www.eeas.europa.eu

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eom-zimbabwe-2023/curtailed-rights-and-lack-level-playing-field-compounded-intimidation-election-day-largely-calm-0_en?s=410326

www.aljazeera.com

www.press.un.org

www.lemonde.fr

www.reuters.com

www.bbc.com

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 44
Total number of women after the election: 36
Percentage of women after the election: 45.0%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 08 Sep 2023

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Mabel M. Chinomona (Female)
Date of birth: 21 Jan 1958
Political party: ZANU-PF
Date of election: 08 Sep 2023