All Systems Go for August 1 By-Elections: ZEC Confirms Readiness

By Breeze FM | 31 July 2026

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed its readiness to conduct local authority by-elections scheduled for Saturday, 1 August 2026.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, ZEC Commissioner Abigirl Ambrose said all electoral materials and personnel were in place. She added that ZWG$17 million (ZiG 17 million) had been allocated to fund the four contested wards.

Commissioner Ambrose commended political parties, candidates and residents, particularly in Victoria Falls, for maintaining a peaceful pre-election environment. She said no electoral incidents or violations had been recorded ahead of the polls and urged all stakeholders to continue observing the electoral code of conduct before, during and after voting.

Although six by-elections were initially scheduled, only four wards will go to the polls after the nomination courts sat on 1 July 2026. The contested wards are Wards 9, 10 and 11 in Victoria Falls Municipality, where vacancies arose following recalls by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and Ward 3 in Mutare Municipality, which became vacant following the death of the incumbent councillor.

ZEC said ballot printing and distribution had been completed in line with the Electoral Act. A total of 14,073 voters are registered in the four wards, and 14,650 ballot papers were printed to allow for a contingency margin. Twenty-three polling stations will be open across the contested wards.