Election boundaries in Zimbabwe: the science and politics of delimitation

This article critically examines the electoral integrity of Zimbabwe’s 2023 harmonised elections through the lens of delimitation, which refers to the process of redrawing electoral boundaries. After the 2017 political transition, delimitation emerged as a central issue in Zimbabwean politics, becoming a focal point of debate and controversy during the 2023 elections. The redrawing of electoral boundaries was particularly contentious, with allegations that the final electoral maps disenfranchised the voters by scattering them across constituencies, leading to widespread confusion and voter suppression on election day. Many stakeholders accused the delimitation process, along with other electoral malpractices, of facilitating vote theft and undermining the credibility of the electoral outcome. Despite the significance of delimitation, there was a notable lack of understanding among key actors regarding the science and politics behind it. While some viewed it as a technical exercise, others perceived it as a tool for electoral manipulation. This study examines the theory and practice of delimitation, exploring both its technical dimensions and its potential for political misuse. Drawing on literature and case studies, the paper analyses how the pre-2023 delimitation process influenced the electoral outcome, highlighting its role in shaping voter distribution and electoral fairness. The results highlight the importance of delimitation as a cornerstone of electoral integrity. The paper shows that such a process must be conducted transparently, independently, and with meticulous care. When mishandled, delimitation can become a mechanism for incumbent regimes to manipulate electoral outcomes, which erodes public trust in democratic processes. By shedding light on the complexities of delimitation in Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections, this article contributes to broader discussions on electoral governance, boundary delimitation, and the safeguarding of democratic principles in transitional democracies.