given the in the prevailing economic circumstances and resource constraints. The
Commission is therefore urged to review the cost of accreditation as well as ensure that the
accreditation process is smooth so that no extra costs are incurred.
Opening of Registration Centres
In terms of opening time for registration centres, ZESN received reports of mixed
observations. While some centres opened on time, other centres opened well after 10.00
am. St Mary’s Ward 5 opened latest around 1.00 pm. The registration officials attributed the
delay to logistical issues as they indicated that they were waiting for furniture that had to be
transported from a close by school for use at the St Mary’s Ward 5 registration centre.
Registrants were thus seated at the centre for a long period waiting for the centre to start
operating.
ZESN also observed that voter registration did not start yesterday at all the registration
centres that ZEC intended to cover in the first phase. Whilst Gokwe, Binga and other centers
is Mashonaland Central failed to open due to rains, similar incidents were also observed in
urban areas. In St Mary’s Ward 3, no registration took place at Mangoromera bus terminus
tent. Registration officials at the centre left and came back around 4.00 pm to find most of
the aspiring registrants gone. The registration officials announced that the process would
commence the next day.
Furthermore, ZESN also observed that the location of some registration centres changed
without prior communication to that effect by ZEC. For example, no registration was done in
Mabvuku Tafara Sub District Office where, according to ZEC’s plan, the centre was supposed
to be located. Staff at the office was referring people to the Registrar General’s Department
while officials at the RG’s Department having no knowledge of the location of the
registration centre. Registration was however, done at Redbull/Soup instead. The location of
the centre also changed in Budiriro.
Time taken to Register Voters
ZESN observers manning various registration centres have reported that it is taking between
10 and 15 minutes to have one registrant complete the registration process. For some
centres, in Budiriro Ward 23 for example, the shortage of staff contributed to the time that
was taken to register voters. There were only two registration officials at the Budiriro
registration centre.
Turnout
ZESN observed that more than 20 people had registered at most of the registration centres
by end of day yesterday. By and large, the numbers of people who registered were low.
While this is understandable at a time when the registration process has just been extended
to the local level, and while it could be attributed to the distribution of centres which is quite