Implications of voter intimidation: a case of Bindura district, ward 13

Author

Zivanayi, Irene

Title

Implications of voter intimidation: a case of Bindura district, ward 13

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the implications of voter intimidation in Zimbabwe. The free expression of voters’ choice is a sine qua non for credibility. Frustration-aggression was utilised as a theoretical framework to this study. Case study was a suitable research design to this study because it is flexible and highly contextual. A sample of 40 participants from a targeted population of 300 eligible, illegible, registered, and unregistered people who were on Ward 13 welfare centre register of club and donor activities were selected for the study using simple random sampling. Key informants from ZESN, ZINASU, ZEC, ZRP, ERC, Ministry of Justice, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other voluntary organisations were selected using purposive sampling and proximity to the research. The data were collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The research observed that Zimbabwe was beset by political violence perpetrated mainly by state agents and their allies, the ruling party. It has resulted in a rapid decline in the human rights situation in the country. All respondents acknowledged being witnesses to some form of violence. They explained that violence against women was more pronounced. Participants showed knowledge of electoral violence as an activity intentionally done to another person that may result in physical or emotional or spiritual harm to that person, all this being done to deprive one’s freedom of choice to voice an opinion or elect an official. The period of violence was from year 2000 to 2023. Victims also included anyone vocally opposing the status quo. There is thus a need to comprehensively reform Zimbabwe’s electoral laws, improve elections administration, and ensure a level playing field for contestants by addressing the political environment within which elections are held.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Voter intimidation

Politics

Democracy

Security

Supervisor

N/A