Zimbabwe Bolsters Democracy with Launch of Electoral Integrity Initiative

Zimbabwe is taking significant steps to strengthen its democracy with the launch of the Electoral Integrity Initiative by the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN).

This initiative, anchored in the Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections (BRIDGE) program, aims to enhance electoral integrity and governance by equipping electoral stakeholders with professional and innovative training methodologies.

The BRIDGE program, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), International IDEA, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA), is a collaborative effort involving key institutions.

Participants include representatives from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, the Zimbabwe Media Commission, and numerous civil society organizations (CSOs).

ZESN Chairperson Andrew Makoni, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of the workshop as a platform for deepening understanding, sharing experiences, and building the necessary skills and knowledge to advance democracy. He urged participants to engage actively, challenge assumptions, and foster connections to drive meaningful change within their organizations and communities.

This initiative underscores Zimbabwe's commitment to fostering a robust democratic framework through comprehensive stakeholder education and collaboration, setting the stage for more transparent and effective electoral processes.