Section 7 There is concern on the language that makes it discretionary for the Commission to set up mobile registration centres. The language of Section 6(2) needs to be peremptory in relation to the provision of mobile registration centres, given the long distances most people living in rural areas need to travel to access the ZEC provincial and district offices. This section sets out the This provision sets out the framework of registration of a claimant as a voter. The provision adds procedure for registration as a a new requirement of taking a photograph of the claimant. This is in accordance with ZESN voter. recommendations. The provision however fails to specify the biometric features that will be relied upon by the Commission for registration of potential voter. As previously recommended these biometric features should be specified from the outset for the avoidance of doubt. Despite the ZESN recommendations the regulations do not make provisions for the rights of prisoners to register to vote. The Commission should also make mobile voters’ registrations units available for prisoners, given that the constitutional right to vote is guaranteed to every citizen. Section 8 This section vests the registration officer with authority over a polling centre. It substitutes section 11 of the draft regulations In principle, this section is progressive to the extent it gives authority to the registration officer control of persons in premises used for registration of voters. However, the section does not address the concern previously raised against section 11(2) of the draft regulations where a registration officer can allow persons, authorised in writing by the CEO to enter and remain in the premises? The suspicion remains of persons who may come to registration centres and interfere with the authority of the registration authority. The Commission should reconsider this position. The regulations also introduce, for the first time, a criminal penalty for a person who “disobeys an instruction of the registration officer.” In terms of Section 8(2) of the regulations such a person may be liable to a fine not exceeding level ten or imprisonment of up to one year or both. The fine appears to be rather excessive. 5|Page