Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z), a leading global organisation in the fight against corruption is deeply concerned by recent events surrounding the voter registration process.
Sunday View by Transparency International- Zimbabwe
Recent media reports show that ordinary citizens are facing challenges to register to vote. In some cases Zimbabweans are not aware of the actual dates for nearby mobile voter registration centres. There is lack of publicity to encourage ordinary citizens to participate in the registration process.
Evidence emanating from various centres across the country has also shown that there is lack of preparedness on the part of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and Registrar General’s Office to carry-out voter registration throughout the country.
ZEC is constitutionally mandated to adequately conduct all electoral processes, including voter education in the country. While there is merit in initiating the mobile voter registration exercise, ZEC should do more in publicising the exercise to ensure eligible voters are accorded their democratic right to participate in processes. Proof of residence has been the major hindrance for people to register to vote. Voter registration officials have also been accused of turning away those without proof of residence.
According to ZEC chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau, people can fill in special affidavits as proof of residence, however the situation on the ground is different as people are reportedly turned away without registering as voters. This is also an unfair practice because our government knows that many urban dwellers are not home-owners and may not have utility accounts for them to process documents of proof of residence.
Media reports also point out that at times voters travel long distances to access voter registration centres. If this is not corrected soon, it may lead to the exclusion of a multitude of voters. Moreover, the unclear manner in which voter registration is being conducted compromises the credibility of free and fair elections. A compromised electoral process opens itself up to allegations of electoral fraud then election results may become disputed leading to violence and the government in power may be considered illegitimate.
As such, TI-Z calls upon relevant ministries, the legislature and the Executive to look into the electoral process and ensure transparency in the conduct of all electoral processes. Relevant stakeholders should put in place meaningful measures that will ensure citizen participation in democratic processes, if a free and fair environment is to be achieved. According to section 100C of the current constitution, the functions of ZEC are to prepare for; the conduct and supervise elections and referendums and ensure they are conducted efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently in accordance with the law.
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ZEC and the Registrar General Office are therefore implored to embrace new technologies in the electoral processes that enhance accountability and transparency since they have the potential of easing the current challenges being faced in registering potential voters. The advantage of using new technologies such as biometric technology is that it eliminates multiple voter registration and is not labour intensive. Also, biometric technology has the potential to flush out “ghost voters” which have haunted previous electoral processes.
TI-Z calls on the state to broaden participation in voter education in order to beef up ZEC’s capacity in this area. With the participation of civil society organisations (CSOs), in collaboration with ZEC, much more ground can be covered in the limited time available.
