ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK
BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE - NUMBER 14
21 December 2017 – The BVR Blitz which commenced on 10 October 2017 came to an end on
19 December 2017. As part of its efforts to promote democratic electoral processes in
Zimbabwe, ZESN observed all the four phases of the process in all ten provinces of
Zimbabwe. This update is based on observations made during the last 7 days of the blitz and
is informed by reports from ZESN static and mobile observer teams.
Turnout and Extension of the BVR exercise
According to statistics released by ZEC a total of 4,727,376 people were registered during
the 72 day long exercise representing 65% of the 7,224,128 million projected by ZESN earlier
this year. ZESN welcomes the reports of a possible extension of the voter registration
exercise to 15 February 2018 in response to calls by various stakeholders due to low turnout
in some areas such as Matabeleland provinces. ZESN calls upon ZEC to ensure that the
methodology and modalities of the extension are communicated timeously with
stakeholders to facilitate for planning of activities such as voter education, mobilisation and
observation of the process. ZESN reiterates its calls for the Commission to also provide
disaggregated statistics of sex and age of the registrants as well as by geographical
breakdown. These statistics will ensure that electoral stakeholders are able to conduct
targeted voter mobilisation and education initiatives.
ZESN BVR Roadshows
ZESN organised roadshows in Masvingo in Mucheke, Harare in Mufakose and Kambuzuma,
Hwange in Empumalanga business centre, Colliery Hospital and in Seke at Dema aimed at
mobilizing and encouraging potential voters to register to vote. In Masvingo at Mucheke A
Bus Terminus ZESN managed to collaborate with ZEC in mobilizing voters to register, the
ZEC Provincial Elections Officer provided a registration kit at the roadshow which registered