Smooth start to BVR fourth phase

THE fourth and final phase of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) blitz started smoothly in Gweru, Shurugwi and Chirumhanzu, with residents and villagers flocking to mobile centres to register.

The BVR blitz in Midlands province has already been to Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Kwekwe, Mvuma, Gokwe North and Gokwe South, where a total of 12 205 prospective voters registered.

Midlands provincial elections officer Ms Dorcas Mpofu said the exercise was going on well in Gweru, Shurugwi and Chirumhanzu.

“The process started on a good note on Monday and so far so good,” she said. “The only problems we are facing is that of people who are bringing defaced documents, while some are coming without national identity cards and some are under age, but want to vote.

“We are, however, managing such situations very well.”

As of Monday last week, when the fourth BVR blitz started, Ms Mpofu said, 20 094 prospective voters were registered at Gweru’s 196 centres, while 9 899 were registered in Shurugwi’s 131 centres.

Ms Mpofu said in Chirumhanzu, only 567 people registered at the eight centres that were open.

“The total number of prospective voters who registered on Monday in Gweru, Shurugwi and Chirumhanzu stood at 30 560,” she said. “With the response we got on Monday we believe more people will be registered by the time we end the blitz later this month.”

The first phase of BVR blitz kicked off on October 10 and ended on October 25, while the second phase started on October 29 to November 13.

The third phase commenced on November 16 and ended on December 1.