Tug of war between Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and MDC continues

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission today insisted it was within its rights not to publish pictures of registered voters on its voter’s roll saying this will only be done at polling station level.

But Movement for Democratic Change Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa insisted that pictures should be published to prevent rigging.

“Our eyes remain focused on the voters roll. The final roll must be released including those who registered during the verification period. The pictures are essential to prevent rigging,” Chamisa said.

“ZEC is resisting our calls for transparency and, unsurprisingly, ZANU-PF is cheering it on,” he added.

ZEC said in a statement: “Allegations that the voters roll is fake because it does not contain voters’ photographs are regrettable.

“While section 9 of the Electoral (Voter Registration) Regulations, 2013 Statutory Instrument 85 of 2017 provides for the Chief Elections Officer to compile a voters roll for each polling area showing in relation to each voter the voter’s photograph in addition to the information provided in section 20 (2) of the Electoral Act aforementioned, it is pertinent to note that the voters’ roll referred to in section 9 of the Regulations alluded to by the stakeholders in the print media particularly the Newsday of 22 June 2018 relates to a polling station voters roll.

“This is the roll that will be printed and distributed to each polling station for purposes of polling on 30 July 2018 which will not be in its consolidated form as that issued to stakeholders.”

Full statement:

ELECTION WATCH 26/2018

25th June 2018

ZEC Press Statement in response to Media Reports on Voters Roll

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to respond to media reports that the voters’ roll issued to stakeholders is fake. The Commission is saddened by such allegations which in its opinion are meant to cause alarm and despondency among the generality of the Zimbabwean populace. ZEC calls upon all stakeholders to conduct themselves in a responsible manner which is consistent with nation building.

Section 20 (2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] provides that a voters roll shall specify in relation to each registered voter, the voter’s first and last names, date of birth, national registration number and sex as well as the place where the voter ordinarily resides. The voters roll issued to stakeholders contains the above information as required by the law. The law in section 21 (7) further requires ZEC to issue a voters roll that is searchable and analysable but tamper proof. ZEC is issuing a roll which can be analysed and searched by age, name, national registration number and residential address in conformity with the law.

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