1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following is a comprehensive analysis and documentation of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network’s (ZESN’s) observation of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) process in Zimbabwe. It covers all the critical moments of the BVR process from its inauguration and inception in September 2017 to completion of the extended BVR Blitz exercise in February 2018. The processes covered in this report include the pre-BVR process (Polling Station Mapping Exercise, BVR Tender Processes, BVR Site Validation Tests) and the various stages of the BVR process. It covers the BVR Blitz in detail, starting with a contextual analysis of the use of Biometrics in electoral processes globally, especially in Africa, including motivations and reasons for the adoption of BVR. The report also provides a contextual overview of the Zimbabwean political context within which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) implemented the BVR process, including its historical antecedents and past challenges with the integrity and credibility of voter registration and resultant voters’ rolls. It covers the legislative and institutional framework that catered for the BVR process. The heart of the report is the observation findings, which include various elements as observed above, zeroing-in on ZEC’s preparedness, stakeholder involvement, the political climate, participation of marginalized groups, civic and voter education, the role of the media and registration data. It concludes with recommendations to various stakeholders including ZEC, Political parties and civil society. The report commends ZEC for administering the BVR process in admirable fashion, under stringent conditions including limited time for full and proper training and acclimatization of its agents with this new voter registration system. ZESN found ZEC to be responsive, in the main, to emergent issues during the BVR process, including through constant ad hoc and programmed engagements with stakeholders. ZEC’s successful implementation of the BVR process is perhaps best represented by the fact that by the end of the BVR Mop-Up exercise on the 10th of February, ZEC had registered approximately, 5,325,631 people. This figure, represented approximately 73, 5% of eligible voters, surpassing ZEC’s target of 70%. The successes notwithstanding, ZESN observed some challenges in the processes, regarding inclusivity, preparedness, fair distribution of registration centers and resources, and access to full analyzable information, amongst other elements. In light of its observations and in line with best practice in electoral processes, the ZESN makes several recommendations to ZEC, political parties, government and civil society at the end of the report. However below is a summary of recommendations to ZEC on future Voter registration and other electoral processes: 1. ZEC needs to institute proper voter and civic education ahead of critical electoral processes including but not limited to voter registration. Such voter and civic education must be extensive, inclusive, and comprehensive, which entails that ZEC: a. Coordinates with the Registrar General to facilitate the issuing of National Identification documents especially in farming areas where a lot of people were unable to register due to lack of IDs. 4