9 - Digital Technologies and Election Management in Zimbabwe: Pseudo-democratic Transition and Contorted Delirium?
Corresponding Author(s) : Torque Mude
Afrique et développement,
Vol. 47 No 2 (2022): Afrique et développement: Numéro spécial sur Technologies numériques et gestion des élections dans les processus de démocratisation en Afrique
Résumé
Cet article examine dans quelle mesure l'adoption de l'enregistrement biométrique des électeurs dans la gestion des élections au Zimbabwe est apparue comme un fantôme à l'horizon de la démocratisation. Alors que l'émergence de la numérisation de la gestion des élections a suscité des attentes quant à la crédibilité du processus et des résultats électoraux dans un pays avec une histoire de mauvaises pratiques électorales rampantes au cours du processus géré manuellement, le phénomène n'a pas encore donné de résultats positifs en matière de démocratisation au Zimbabwe. Malgré le passage d'un processus électoral manuel à une approche numérique, le bourbier des irrégularités persiste encore lors des élections au Zimbabwe. Cela est largement attribuable à la trajectoire de la gouvernance au Zimbabwe qui semble militer contre l'exploitation des opportunités présentées par les technologies numériques dans la démocratisation des élections dans le pays. Cela dit, la conclusion tirée de cet article est que la configuration du pouvoir politique, en particulier les questions de violation des principes démocratiques de séparation du pouvoir et de séparation du personnel, sont peu propices à une transition démocratique induite par la technologie vers des élections crédibles. La recherche secondaire a été utilisée pour obtenir des données pour cet article, car les données ont été recueillies à partir de livres, d'articles de journaux et des rapports institutionnels.
Mots-clés
Télécharger la référence bibliographique
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- Achen, C. and Bartels, L., 2002, ‘Blind retrospection: electoral responses to drought, flue and shark attacks’, paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Boston.
- African Union Election Observation Mission to Zimbabwe Preliminary Statement, 2018, Harmonised Elections, 30 July, pp. 1–8, https://www.veritaszim.net/ node/3345.pdf.
- Akumiah, H., 2010, ‘Democratic Republic of Congo’, in A. Evrensel, ed., Voter Registration in Africa: A Comparative Analysis, Johannesburg: EISA.
- BBC, 2018, ‘Zimbabwe’s MDC alliance says Chamisa beat Mnangagwa’, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45017383’, accessed 16 July 2019.
- Beardsworth, N., 2018, ‘New rules and ghost voters threaten Zimbabwe’s vote’, Mail and Guardian, 19 July, https://mg.co.zw/article/2018-07-19-new-rules- and-ghost-voters-threaten-zimbabwe’s-vote.
- Bratton, M., 2014, Power Politics in Zimbabwe, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
- Bratton, M. and Masunungure, V., 2018, ‘Public attitudes toward Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections: downbeat yet hopeful?’, Afrobarometer Policy Paper 47: 1–21.
- Chamisa v Mnangagwa and 24 Others CCZ 42/18.
- Cheeseman, N., Lynch, G. and Willis, J., 2018, ‘Digital dilemma: the unintended consequences of election technology’, Democratisation 25 (8): 1397–418.
- Chikerema, A. F. and Chakunda, V., 2014, ‘Political culture and democratic governance in Zimbabwe’, Journal of Power, Governance and Politics 2 (1): 55–66. Election Resource Centre, 2018, Nothing New About the Inadequacies of the Zimbabwe 2018 Elections, http://www.erczim.org/2018/08/17/nothing-new-inadequacies-zim-2018-elections, accessed 17 July 2019.
- European Union Observation Mission Report, 2018, Republic of Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections, 2018,http://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/EU%20Election%20Observation%20Mission%20Report.html, accessed 18July 2019.
- Evrensel, A., 2010, ‘Introduction’, in A. Evrensel, ed., Voter Registration in Africa: A Comparative Analysis, Johannesburg: EISA.
- Gailmard, S., 2012, ‘Accountability and Principal Agent Models’, in M. Bovens, R.
- E. Goodin and T. Schillemaris, eds, Oxford Handbook of Accountability, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Gathii, J. T., 2000, ‘Representations of Africa in good governance discourse: policing and containing dissidence to neo-liberalism’, Third World Legal Studies 15 (1): 65–108.
- Gelb, A. and Diofasi, A., 2016, ‘Biometric elections in poor countries: wasteful or a worthwhile investment’, Investment Center for Global Development, Working Paper 435.
- GENKEY Report, 2016, Delivering Biometric Elections: What We Do? How We Do It? Ginburg, T., 2004, ‘Bounded discretion in international judicial law-making’, Virginia Journal of International Law 45: 631–73.
- Healy, A. and Malhotra, N., 2010, ‘Random event, economic losses and retrospective voting: implications for democratic competence’, Quarterly Journal of Political Science 5: 193–208.
- Holtved, O., 2011, Biometrics in Elections – Georgia: De-duplication or Voter Register and Verification of Voter Identity Using Biometrics’, International Foundation for Electoral Systems,
- https://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/biometrics_in_ elections_2011_0.pdf, accessed 15 July
- IDEA, 2017, Introducing Biometric Technology in Elections,https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/introducing-biometric-technology-in-elections- reissue.pdf, 15 July 2019.
- Jinadu, L. A., 1997, ‘Matters arising: African elections and the problem of electoral administration’, African Journal of Political Science 2 (1): 1–11.
- Magaisa, A., 2017, ‘The challenges, strengths of biometric voter registration’, Zimbabwe Independent, 31 March, https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/03/31/challenges-strength-biometric-voter-registration.
- Makumbe, J, 2009, The Impact of Democracy in Zimbabwe: Assessing Political, Social and Economic Developments since the Dawn of Democracy, Country Report, Research Report 119, Centre for Policy Studies.
- Maromo, J., 2017, ‘Mugabe defeated, but Mugabeism continues to thrive’, IOL News, http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/Zimbabwe/mugabe- defeated-12118018.
- Matyszak, D., 2017, Back to the Future: Legitimising Zimbabwe’s 2018 Elections, Southern Africa Report 12, Institute for Security Studies, November.
- Merloe, P., 2009, ‘Human Rights – The Basis for Inclusiveness, Transparency, Accountability and Public Confidence in Elections’, in J. D. Young, ed., International Election Principles: Democracy and the Rule of Law, Chicago, IL: ABA Publishing.
- Mhaka, T., 2018, ‘How did Mnangagwa win Zimbabwe’s landmark July 30 elections?’, Al Jazeera, 6 August, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/how-did-mnangagwa-win-zimbabwe-landmark-july-30-elections-180806122757502.html. Moyo, P., 2013, ‘Zimbabwe’s ruling party militias spread fear of voting’, Inter Press Service, www.ipnews.net/2013/05/zimbabwe-ruling-party-militias-spread-fear-of-voting.
- Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S., 2006, ‘The native revolution and Zimbabwe’s development conundrums in Zimbabwe’, Occasional Paper Series 1 (4): 1–40.
- Niels, H., 2008, ‘Neo-liberal imperialism and pan-Africa resistance’, Journal of World Systems Research 31 (1): 142–78.
- Lenz, G., 2012, Follow the Leader: How Voters Respond to Politicians’ Performance and Policies, Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press.
- Lupia, A. and McCubbins, M., 1998, The Democratic Dilemma: Can Citizens Learn What They Need to Know?, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
- Pottie, D., 2010, ‘Electoral management and democratic governance in Southern Africa’, Politikon: Southern Africa Journal of Political Studies 28 (2): 133–55.
- Pran, V. and Merloe, P., 2007, Monitoring Electronic Technologies in Electoral Processes: An NDI Guide for Political Parties and Civic Organisations, Washington, DC: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
- Russel, M. and Zamfir, L., 2018, Digital Technology in Elections: Efficiency versus Credibility, European Parliamentary Research Service, http://www.europarl. europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2018/625178/EPRS_BRI_2018_EN.pdf, accessed 16 July 2019.
- Sanusi, I. B. and Nassuna, R., 2017, ‘Emerging trends in Africa’s electoral process’,South African Institute of International Affairs Policy Briefing 158: 1–5.
- Sibanda, M., 2018, ‘BVR not panacea to Zimbabwe’s electoral challenges’, Daily News, 18 July, https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/07/18/bvr-not-the- panacea-to-zimbabwe’s-electoral-challenges.
- Sithole, M and Makumbe, J., 1997, ‘Elections in Zimbabwe: the ZANU PF hegemony and its incipient decline’, African Journal of Political Science 2 (1): 122–39.
- Southall, R., 2017, ‘Bob is out, the croc is in: continuity or change in Zimbabwe?’,Africa Spectrum 52 (23): 81–94.
- Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe, 2018, Preliminary Statement, https://www.sadc.int/. zimbabwe_elections_Preliminary_Statement_August_2018_pdf, accessed 20 July 2019.
- Yard, M., 2010, ‘Direct Democracy: Progress and Pitfalls of Election Technology’, in M. Yard International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Arlington, VA: IFES.
- Zenda, C., 2018, ‘How a technological solution backfired in Zimbabwe’s elections?’, TRT World, 7 August, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/how-a-technological-solution--backfired-in-zimbabwe-s-elections.19430.
- ZESN Observation Report, 2018, Report on the 30 July 2018 Harmonised Election, https://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/ZESN-Report-on-the-30-July-2018-Harmonised-Election.pdf.
Les références
Achen, C. and Bartels, L., 2002, ‘Blind retrospection: electoral responses to drought, flue and shark attacks’, paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Boston.
African Union Election Observation Mission to Zimbabwe Preliminary Statement, 2018, Harmonised Elections, 30 July, pp. 1–8, https://www.veritaszim.net/ node/3345.pdf.
Akumiah, H., 2010, ‘Democratic Republic of Congo’, in A. Evrensel, ed., Voter Registration in Africa: A Comparative Analysis, Johannesburg: EISA.
BBC, 2018, ‘Zimbabwe’s MDC alliance says Chamisa beat Mnangagwa’, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45017383’, accessed 16 July 2019.
Beardsworth, N., 2018, ‘New rules and ghost voters threaten Zimbabwe’s vote’, Mail and Guardian, 19 July, https://mg.co.zw/article/2018-07-19-new-rules- and-ghost-voters-threaten-zimbabwe’s-vote.
Bratton, M., 2014, Power Politics in Zimbabwe, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Bratton, M. and Masunungure, V., 2018, ‘Public attitudes toward Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections: downbeat yet hopeful?’, Afrobarometer Policy Paper 47: 1–21.
Chamisa v Mnangagwa and 24 Others CCZ 42/18.
Cheeseman, N., Lynch, G. and Willis, J., 2018, ‘Digital dilemma: the unintended consequences of election technology’, Democratisation 25 (8): 1397–418.
Chikerema, A. F. and Chakunda, V., 2014, ‘Political culture and democratic governance in Zimbabwe’, Journal of Power, Governance and Politics 2 (1): 55–66. Election Resource Centre, 2018, Nothing New About the Inadequacies of the Zimbabwe 2018 Elections, http://www.erczim.org/2018/08/17/nothing-new-inadequacies-zim-2018-elections, accessed 17 July 2019.
European Union Observation Mission Report, 2018, Republic of Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections, 2018,http://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/EU%20Election%20Observation%20Mission%20Report.html, accessed 18July 2019.
Evrensel, A., 2010, ‘Introduction’, in A. Evrensel, ed., Voter Registration in Africa: A Comparative Analysis, Johannesburg: EISA.
Gailmard, S., 2012, ‘Accountability and Principal Agent Models’, in M. Bovens, R.
E. Goodin and T. Schillemaris, eds, Oxford Handbook of Accountability, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gathii, J. T., 2000, ‘Representations of Africa in good governance discourse: policing and containing dissidence to neo-liberalism’, Third World Legal Studies 15 (1): 65–108.
Gelb, A. and Diofasi, A., 2016, ‘Biometric elections in poor countries: wasteful or a worthwhile investment’, Investment Center for Global Development, Working Paper 435.
GENKEY Report, 2016, Delivering Biometric Elections: What We Do? How We Do It? Ginburg, T., 2004, ‘Bounded discretion in international judicial law-making’, Virginia Journal of International Law 45: 631–73.
Healy, A. and Malhotra, N., 2010, ‘Random event, economic losses and retrospective voting: implications for democratic competence’, Quarterly Journal of Political Science 5: 193–208.
Holtved, O., 2011, Biometrics in Elections – Georgia: De-duplication or Voter Register and Verification of Voter Identity Using Biometrics’, International Foundation for Electoral Systems,
https://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/biometrics_in_ elections_2011_0.pdf, accessed 15 July
IDEA, 2017, Introducing Biometric Technology in Elections,https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/introducing-biometric-technology-in-elections- reissue.pdf, 15 July 2019.
Jinadu, L. A., 1997, ‘Matters arising: African elections and the problem of electoral administration’, African Journal of Political Science 2 (1): 1–11.
Magaisa, A., 2017, ‘The challenges, strengths of biometric voter registration’, Zimbabwe Independent, 31 March, https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/03/31/challenges-strength-biometric-voter-registration.
Makumbe, J, 2009, The Impact of Democracy in Zimbabwe: Assessing Political, Social and Economic Developments since the Dawn of Democracy, Country Report, Research Report 119, Centre for Policy Studies.
Maromo, J., 2017, ‘Mugabe defeated, but Mugabeism continues to thrive’, IOL News, http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/Zimbabwe/mugabe- defeated-12118018.
Matyszak, D., 2017, Back to the Future: Legitimising Zimbabwe’s 2018 Elections, Southern Africa Report 12, Institute for Security Studies, November.
Merloe, P., 2009, ‘Human Rights – The Basis for Inclusiveness, Transparency, Accountability and Public Confidence in Elections’, in J. D. Young, ed., International Election Principles: Democracy and the Rule of Law, Chicago, IL: ABA Publishing.
Mhaka, T., 2018, ‘How did Mnangagwa win Zimbabwe’s landmark July 30 elections?’, Al Jazeera, 6 August, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/how-did-mnangagwa-win-zimbabwe-landmark-july-30-elections-180806122757502.html. Moyo, P., 2013, ‘Zimbabwe’s ruling party militias spread fear of voting’, Inter Press Service, www.ipnews.net/2013/05/zimbabwe-ruling-party-militias-spread-fear-of-voting.
Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S., 2006, ‘The native revolution and Zimbabwe’s development conundrums in Zimbabwe’, Occasional Paper Series 1 (4): 1–40.
Niels, H., 2008, ‘Neo-liberal imperialism and pan-Africa resistance’, Journal of World Systems Research 31 (1): 142–78.
Lenz, G., 2012, Follow the Leader: How Voters Respond to Politicians’ Performance and Policies, Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press.
Lupia, A. and McCubbins, M., 1998, The Democratic Dilemma: Can Citizens Learn What They Need to Know?, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Pottie, D., 2010, ‘Electoral management and democratic governance in Southern Africa’, Politikon: Southern Africa Journal of Political Studies 28 (2): 133–55.
Pran, V. and Merloe, P., 2007, Monitoring Electronic Technologies in Electoral Processes: An NDI Guide for Political Parties and Civic Organisations, Washington, DC: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
Russel, M. and Zamfir, L., 2018, Digital Technology in Elections: Efficiency versus Credibility, European Parliamentary Research Service, http://www.europarl. europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2018/625178/EPRS_BRI_2018_EN.pdf, accessed 16 July 2019.
Sanusi, I. B. and Nassuna, R., 2017, ‘Emerging trends in Africa’s electoral process’,South African Institute of International Affairs Policy Briefing 158: 1–5.
Sibanda, M., 2018, ‘BVR not panacea to Zimbabwe’s electoral challenges’, Daily News, 18 July, https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/07/18/bvr-not-the- panacea-to-zimbabwe’s-electoral-challenges.
Sithole, M and Makumbe, J., 1997, ‘Elections in Zimbabwe: the ZANU PF hegemony and its incipient decline’, African Journal of Political Science 2 (1): 122–39.
Southall, R., 2017, ‘Bob is out, the croc is in: continuity or change in Zimbabwe?’,Africa Spectrum 52 (23): 81–94.
Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe, 2018, Preliminary Statement, https://www.sadc.int/. zimbabwe_elections_Preliminary_Statement_August_2018_pdf, accessed 20 July 2019.
Yard, M., 2010, ‘Direct Democracy: Progress and Pitfalls of Election Technology’, in M. Yard International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Arlington, VA: IFES.
Zenda, C., 2018, ‘How a technological solution backfired in Zimbabwe’s elections?’, TRT World, 7 August, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/how-a-technological-solution--backfired-in-zimbabwe-s-elections.19430.
ZESN Observation Report, 2018, Report on the 30 July 2018 Harmonised Election, https://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/ZESN-Report-on-the-30-July-2018-Harmonised-Election.pdf.