On March 26, 2022, Zimbabwe’s Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), led by Nelson Chamisa, secured 19 of 28 parliamentary seats in by-elections, with the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) taking nine, per ZBC-TV. “Citizens came together and achieved a resounding victory,” CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere stated, per AFP. The polls filled seats vacant for nearly two years due to COVID-19 postponements, with over 100 local council positions also contested. The CCC won 75 local seats, while ZANU-PF gained 47, per Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).
Formation of CCC
Chamisa formed the CCC in January 2022 after a legal dispute with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which won no seats. “CCC party leader Nelson Chamisa set up his own party… after breaking with the MDC,” following recalls of MDC Alliance members loyal to Chamisa, per Al Jazeera. The CCC’s yellow color and raised index finger symbol rallied supporters, with 129,799 votes across 19 constituencies compared to ZANU-PF’s 128,399 in nine, per @SRavengai on X.
Intimidation and Vote-Buying Allegations
Independent observers, including ZESN, reported “intimidation and vote-buying,” with ZANU-PF allegedly distributing food to voters. “Some candidates’ conduct amounted to vote buying,” ZESN noted. CCC members claimed police banned rallies citing insufficient security, and Chamisa reported intimidation, including roadblocks on February 20, per Hansard UK. A CCC supporter was killed with a spear en route to a rally, and 37 were arrested in February, per RFI. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s rhetoric, likening opposition to “lice that needed to be crushed,” echoed Robert Mugabe’s style, per Modern Ghana.
Voter Turnout and Coercion
Turnout was high, especially in rural ZANU-PF strongholds, with observers noting “large numbers of people required assistance at the polls, which they believed was due to coercion,” per AFP. ZESN reported changes to 156 polling stations and voter roll irregularities, contravening the Electoral Act. Despite this, “intimidation did not stop people from flocking to CCC rallies,” particularly in urban areas where the CCC won 19 of 20 previously held seats, per EIU.
Implications for 2023 Elections
The by-elections, a “dry run” for the 2023 general elections, highlighted ZANU-PF’s rural dominance and CCC’s urban strength, per @PedzisaiRuhanya on X. “This weekend’s polls are seen as a preview… as the CCC is hoping to defeat the ruling party,” led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in power since 1980. The CCC’s 105 total by-election wins by October 2022, against ZANU-PF’s 64, per @advocatemahere, underscored its momentum, though ZANU-PF’s resources and alleged rigging posed challenges, per Al Jazeera.
