Constituency Delimitation and the Voter Apathy Problematique in Zimbabwe 1980-2023

Abstract

The article is based on a study that investigated the impact of delimitation on voter apathy in Zimbabwe from 1980 to the present. It intends to address the following objectives: to explore the delimitation patterns in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2023; to assess the nature and pattern of voter apathy in Zimbabwe and to investigate the impact of delimitation on voter apathy in Zimbabwe. The study utilises a qualitative approach and phenomenology as a research design. Unstructured interviews are used and sample selected through convenience strategy, coupled with snowball, whereby referrals were made to connect other voters. The study establishes that delimitation that creates, configures and collapses constituencies as a result of motivated political play of gerrymandering, generates voter apathy through citizens' withdrawal from the electoral process. Boundary mapping process proves not to be immune from gerrymandering and it creates some irregularities that affect the electorate, resulting in their deliberate withdrawal from casting a ballot. The study concludes that there has been a strong relationship between delimitation and voter apathy in Zimbabwe‘s electoral politics right from 1980. Going forward, delimitation process ought to be conducted free from gerrymandering, cognisant key issues such as geography and people; distance and tradition which, for so long, shaped people‘s common interests and preferences.