BALLOT From page 11 The point here is that a prerequisite for reforming the legal (constitutional) framework for political and electoral conduct is political consensus. Zimbabwe's electoral legal framework should ensure that Zimbabweans are not disenfranchised and should boast people's confidence in the electoral process of the country. It is then our argument that whilst several processes are taking place in pushing for consensus between the two main political parties (ZANU PF and MDC), it is our view that activities around political campaign and other processes like voter registration should halted otherwise the nation will be caught unawares. The legal framework for elections specifies the parameters for electoral conduct and most electoral deficits in Africa are embedded in this area. The appointment of the Electoral Commission, timing and the process of conducting elections, eligibility criteria for political parties and candidates, registration of voters, voting procedures, election observers' rights or lack thereof and other election-related matters are all defined by the legal framework. Hence, the need for continuous advocacy for the reform of an electoral framework that is illiberal and seeks to promote a particular party or leader. This reform would obviously entail removing repressive conditions for elections as well. Unfortunately, such is the situation in many of the emerging democracies in Africa. The starting point for reforming the electoral system and processes, therefore, is the review of the legal framework to ensure that rules and regulation are consistent with best practices, particularly as outlined in the SADC Principles Governing Democratic Elections. According to these principles clause (2.2.1& 2.2.6) 'all citizens should be given the right to participate in the political process and an equal opportunity to vote and be voted for'. In contrary to this fundamental clause, the current situation in Zimbabwe is that not all News X citizens are able to vote since the Electoral Act stipulates that only people resident in a constituency are able to vote. Postal votes are only allowed for certain classes of state employees, to the exclusion of citizens in the Diaspora. It is again ZESN's submission that there is need to allow individuals who are not in their constituencies the right to vote using the postal voting system. This should be done in a transparent manner which should include publicizing the total number of people, criteria of people who would have applied to cast postal votes and this should extended to Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora. A pertinent area, which contributes immensely to the electoral processes, is the management of the voters' roll. Overally this issue of voter registration process presents a recurring challenge to elections in Africa. Most African countries have laws that allow for registration of voters within a specified timeframe and those who miss it are consequently disenfranchised. No notable efforts are made to educate and conscientise the electorate about these fundamental exercises in the electoral process. Zimbabwe's voters' roll as been alluded in the previous article, has been a source of controversy with allegations of ghost voters, disenfranchisement and duplicated of names. These difficulties have not escaped even countries with acclaimed elections, such as Ghana whose four successive elections have included one that replaced one elected government with another in 2000. The problem with the voters' registration can be resolved by adopting modern information and data management technology to streamline and create a transparent voter registration system. In Africa many countries are now considering online registration to increase accessibility and convenience and to avoid long and arduous registration processes. The goals of an on-line voter registration system are said to provide improved service to electors through fast, timely, secure, and convenient access by enabling them to add, change, or confirm elector registration information via the 13 Issue No. 2 September 2007 internet. In addition online registration also seeks to improve the quality of data contained in the roll by registering members of difficultto-reach groups such as the youth, in this case the urban youth of course. In effect, an on-line voter registration system would largely circumvent many problems and improve voter confidence and might also boast voter turnout in the nation. Even though initial investment could be prohibitive in terms of equipment and infrastructure, the longterm benefits of increased transparency and accountability that reduce controversies and inconveniences would justify such reforms. The ongoing mobile registration is coupled by a number of challenges, which includes, lack of adequate of human and material resources and inadequate publicity. There is also lack of a clear outline on the target groups, which would have assisted the electors in boosting confidence in the process. It is therefore pertinent that the responsible authorities need be reminded that voter registration should not be a cosmetic exercise but should be a meaningful and all-inclusive electoral process in order that it may amply serve its purpose in the conduct of fair elections. Comprehensive voter registration should be the starting point of increasing turnout in elections. If Zimbabwe expects a boost turn out in next year's elections, then the ongoing voter registration exercise should be taken seriously to ensure that all eligible targeted electors are registered and that they are then also given ample time to inspect roll. A massive publicity campaign on the process and importance should be carried out so that voters turn out in large number to exercise their democratic right to vote in any impending elections. ZESN continues to call for the extension of the mobile voter registration period, which is ending next weekend, in order to cater for all eligible citizens who wish to participate in the 2008 elections and all other future elections X