Parliament Calls For Public Nominations As Vacancy Opens At Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

ZEC Vacancy Opens As Parliament Calls For Public Nominations

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has thrown open the doors for citizens to shape the nation’s electoral future. Ordinary Zimbabweans are being asked to nominate individuals to fill a crucial vacancy on the powerful Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). This move follows the resignation of a commissioner, creating a rare opening on the body tasked with managing the country’s most pivotal polls.

The invitation comes directly from the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO), which holds the constitutional mandate to publicise such vacancies. The committee confirmed the call is for one seat on the commission, with nominees ultimately appointed by the President.

A Seat At The Heart Of Democracy

The role is not for the faint-hearted. The appointed commissioner will join a commission with sweeping powers over the entire electoral process. According to the constitutional notice, the ZEC’s functions are vast and vital.

Its duties include preparing and supervising all presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, as well as referendums. The commission is also responsible for voter registration, compiling and safeguarding the voters’ roll, designing ballot papers, and delimiting constituencies. Furthermore, the ZEC is charged with conducting voter education, accrediting election observers, and receiving public complaints about electoral matters.

As outlined in the public notice, the commission must ensure all elections are conducted “efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.”

Who Can Be Nominated?

The parliament has set clear criteria for potential commissioners. The notice states that nominees must be Zimbabwean citizens “chosen for their integrity, experience, and competence in the conduct of affairs in either the public or private sector.”

However, the notice also lists key exclusions. Those ineligible include employees of provincial or local authorities, members or employees of statutory bodies or government-controlled entities, public officers (except judges), and sitting Members of Parliament. This is designed to ensure the commissioner’s independence from direct government and political influence.

How To Make A Nomination

The public nomination process is detailed and formal. Interested parties must submit a comprehensive package to the Clerk of Parliament by the strict deadline of Friday, 13 February 2026, at 1630 hours.

The required nomination material, as per the official notice, includes “a typewritten submission of no more than two A4 pages long stating why the person nominated is a suitable candidate together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and a nomination form.”

The notice confirms the nomination form can be obtained at the New Parliament of Zimbabwe, Mt Hampden Offices (Human Resources department -Third Floor, Room 340) or downloaded from the Parliament website: www.parlzim.gov.zw.

Nominations must be addressed to the Clerk of Parliament in sealed envelopes clearly marked with the name of the Commission. Submissions can be made through multiple channels:

By Email: [email protected]
By Hand: Delivered to The Clerk of Parliament, Parliament of Zimbabwe, New Parliament Building, 2nd Floor, Room 201, Records and Information Department, Mount Hampden.
By Post: P. O. Box CY 298, Causeway, Harare.