ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE - NUMBER 17 25 January 2018 – As part of its oversight role on electoral processes, ZESN continues to closely observe the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Mop-up exercise. This update is based on reports from ZESN’s mobile and static observers who have been deployed at selected registration centres countrywide. Issues with voter registration slips ZESN notes with concern the continued intimidation of registrants by political players and traditional leaders through the recording of serial numbers on the voter registration slips. The collection of serial numbers of the voter registration slips is being done to intimidate voters who are informed that it is possible to know who they will vote on election day and it is also being made a precondition for one to receive food aid and agricultural inputs. For instance, ZESN received reports that in Gangarabwe Ward 11, Chiwundura, the ZANU PF ward chairperson and his team are moving around collecting serial numbers in the area, in Chibisa village Ward 4 Nyanga North the village head called for a meeting at Ruwangwe Growth Point where she threatened those who have not registered with unspecified actions making reference to the 2008 election violence. In addition, in Mutandiko village Ward 2 Nyanga North known ZANU PF activists are collecting the serial numbers and misinforming the villagers that they have been sent by ZEC to do so. ZESN has since written to ZEC and ZHRC requesting them to denounce these actions and advocate for investigations. In addition, ZESN calls upon ZEC to provide information on the real purpose of the registration slips deliberately informing the voters that the serial numbers cannot be used to track one’s choice on the ballot. Further, ZESN also calls upon the police to arrest the involved culprits. Operating hours for voter registration centres ZEC indicated at the start of the voter registration exercise that centres will open between 7 am and 5 pm daily and that individuals in queues after 5pm would be attended to. ZESN has however received reports of some registration officials who are not adhering to the stipulated operating hours and are sending potential registrants away hours before registration centres are set to close. For instance, in Kwekwe at the District office on 19 January 2018, the police officer at the gate was instructed to send away potential registrants at 2 pm on the basis that there were enough people already in the centre to be registered on the day. At the Masvingo District Offices, potential registrants who arrived after 3pm on 24

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