ZEC Announces Date for Local Authority By-Elections in Five Wards

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has officially announced that by-elections to fill vacancies in five local authority wards across the country will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

According to an Election Notice issued by Chief Elections Officer S. Tongayi, the by-elections are necessary following the deaths of incumbent councillors in four wards, and the conviction and subsequent imprisonment of the councillor for Ward 12 in Chikomba Rural District Council.

Key Dates for Candidates and Voters:

• Nomination Courts: Prospective candidates must submit their nomination papers when the Nomination Courts sit on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, between 10:00 hours and 16:00 hours.

• Polling Day: If a poll becomes necessary, voting will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The vacancies affect the following local authorities:

• Beitbridge Rural District Council: Ward 14

• Chegutu Municipality: Ward 1

• Chikomba Rural District Council: Wards 7 and 12

• Matobo Rural District Council: Ward 13

Important Dates:

1. Nomination Day (For Candidates): Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Nomination courts will sit in the respective local authority offices to receive candidate papers.

2. ELECTION DAY: Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Please find the full statement from the ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION below

ELECTORAL ACT [CHAPTER 2:13]

Election Notice

21 FEBRUARY 2026 BY-ELECTIONS

WHEREAS it is provided in terms of section 278 of the Constitution that the seat of a local authority councillor becomes vacant in the circumstances set out in section 129 as if he or she were a member of Parliament.

AND WHEREAS the Commission has received notification, in writing, that-

(a) the seats of councillors for Ward 14 of Beitbridge Rural District Council, Ward 1 of Chegutu Municipality, Ward 7 of Chikomba Rural District Council, and Ward 13 of Matobo Rural District Council, have become vacant due to the deaths of the incumbent councillors;

(b) the seat of the councillor for Ward 12 of Chikomba Rural District Council has become vacant due to the conviction of the incumbent councillor who was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of more than six months without the option of a fine or other non-custodial punishment;

AND WHEREAS it is provided that upon being notified of a vacancy in terms of subsection (1) of section 121 of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] the Commission shall publish a notice in accordance with section 121A (2);

NOW THEREFORE the Commission hereby notifies the public of the vacancies that have so arisen. The public is further notified that:

(a) The nomination courts for purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councillors for the vacant wards shall sit on Wednesday, 21 January, 2026 commencing from 10:00 hours to 16:00 hours;

(b) The nomination courts shall sit at the places designated in the Schedule for the purposes of receiving nominations of candidates for election as councillors for the wards in the stated local authorities;

(c) Saturday, the 21st day of February, 2026 has been fixed as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 125(4)(b) of the Electoral Act.

[Signature]

S. Tongayi

Chief Elections Officer

ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION