ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK
BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE - NUMBER 13
15 December 2017 – ZESN continues to observe phase four of the Biometric Voter
Registration (BVR) blitz and this update is based on reports received from all the 10
provinces where registration is currently taking place.
Shortage of voter registration slips
ZESN received reports of a significant number of voter registration centres that ran out of
the print roll used for issuing voter registration slips to successful registrants. These
incidents were reported at Takunda Ward 13, St Joseph Ward 3 Vungu, St Patrick’s School in
Chiwundura Ward 9, Gweru urban Ward 18 in Midlands Province, Bindura North District
centre, Chigwagwa Primary ward 4 in Zaka North, Svuure Primary in Zaka East ward 25 and
Zaka East ward 25. At some of the centres voter registration did not stop as ZEC indicated
that they would print the slips upon receipt of new consignment of the print rolls. ZESN is
concerned at the apparent shortage of the registration slips which might have an adverse
impact during inspection of the voters’ rolls for registrants who were not issued with the
slips upon completion of voter registration. These concerns were conveyed to ZEC who
indicated that efforts were in place to furnish registration centres with more prints rolls.
ZESN notes that given that the target for voter registration was set at 7 million, ZEC should
have matched the required voter registration materials with the target figure.
Challenges with alien registration
Whereas the High Court of Zimbabwe ruled that people who are designated as ‘aliens’
should now be allowed to register as voters, most of them are failing to register because in
addition to proof of residence they are still required to produce the long birth certificate
which some of them are not in possession of. Secondly, at some registration centres, it