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