372k register to vote, mop up exercise looms

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has registered more than 372 000 people during the first three phases of the on-going Biometric Voter Registration in Mashonaland West province against a target of 400 000, an official has said.

ZEC has plans to do a provincial mop up exercise in areas where people got their identification documents late and those areas where registration was low.

ZEC acting provincial elections officer Mr Austin Ndlovu said the province was set to surpass its target.

“Currently, we have registered 372 038 people in the province against an approximate figure of 400 000 potential voters,” he said.

“Our objective is to go back and register people who were left out during our mobile registration exercise, as well as those that managed to get their identification documents after we had left their respective areas,” said Mr Ndlovu.

ZEC has started registering aliens following the High Court ruling which ordered that all people born in Zimbabwe and are holders of identification cards marked “Alien” have a right to be registered to vote in general elections.

The “Aliens” need proof that one of their parents was born in Southern Africa.

Mr Ndlovu said ZEC was turning down those aliens who lacked proper documentation.

“They are supposed to bring ID cards with an alien mark, a long birth certificate and a proof of residence,” he said.

“The challenge is that the majority of aliens don’t have the long birth certificate, which we are insisting on, as it has the required details validating their citizenship status.”

Mr Ndlovu encouraged the affected people to approach the Registrar-General’s Office and secure proper documents.