some opening for one day. This presents a narrow window of opportunity for registrants
who may prefer to register at those particular centers, Hence it is critical for ZEC and other
electoral stakeholders to ensure that potential registrants are informed of this schedule so
that they may be able to present themselves for registration at the centres near them.
Reports from ZESN static observers deployed from the commencement of the mop up
indicate that a number of centers, even in the urban areas opened late on the 10th of January
2018, examples include centers in Budiriro, Highfield, Gweru Urban, Glen Norah, and Glen
View. On the other hand, registration centers like Mbembeswana 2 Primary School in Bubi
ward 18, in Matabeleland North did not open at all as advertised. Registration officials who
arrived in the afternoon of 10 January 2018 indicated that the center at Mbembeswana
would only open once it has been allocated police officers to provide security. However this
did not happen as the center had been scheduled of open for two days (10-11 January 2018).
ZEC needs to inform residents in wards where the same challenge was experienced if the
registration centers would be opened at a later date.
Aliens
ZESN has received reports that some of the citizens classified as aliens are being denied to
register because they do not have long birth certificates while at some centres voter
registration officials are insisting that aliens are not allowed to register as voters despite a
court ruling to the contrary. For instance potential voters classified as aliens were turned
away at Menyezwa Primary School in Lupane Ward 14 and at Glen View 1 Primary School
Ward 31 in Harare.
Political Environment
Throughout the BVR blitz ZESN received numerous reports of intimidation of registrants by
political players and traditional leaders who were recording serial numbers of voter
registration slips. ZESN is saddened to note that this practice persists especially in rural areas
even under the mop up exercise, for instance in Mberengwa North villagers under Chief
Mapiravana in Mberengwa North were called to a meeting on 10 January 2018 to have serial