Contents
1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 4
2.
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1
Objectives and Methodology .................................................................................................... 6
2.2
Objectives of Observing the BVR Process ................................................................................. 7
2.3
Defining: Biometric Voter Registration ..................................................................................... 7
2.4
Distinguishing BVR and Biometric Voting ................................................................................. 7
3. BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION’S GROWTH AND APPLICATION IN ELECTORAL PROCESSES IN
AFRICA ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.
THE ZIMBABWEAN CONTEXT .............................................................................................................. 13
4.1
Historical Context of Voter Registration and the Voters’ Roll ........................................................ 13
4.2
Contemporary Context of the 2017-18 BVR Process Implementation ........................................... 16
5. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ......................................................................................... 18
5.1
Rules of Eligibility for Voter Registration ........................................................................................ 18
5.2
Diaspora .......................................................................................................................................... 19
5.3
Zimbabweans of Foreign Descent: The So-called “aliens”.............................................................. 20
5.4
Continuous Registration ................................................................................................................. 20
5.5
Compilation of the Voters’ Roll ....................................................................................................... 20
5.6
Inspection and Audit of Voters’ Rolls.............................................................................................. 21
5.7
Provision of voters’ rolls ................................................................................................................. 21
6. OBSERVATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 22
6.1
ZEC preparedness............................................................................................................................ 22
6.2 Logistics: Observer Accreditation ......................................................................................................... 22
6.3
Logistics BVR Process ...................................................................................................................... 23
6.4 Significant Logistics and Preparedness Challenges ............................................................................... 23
6.5
Training and Deployment of Voter Registration Officials ............................................................... 24
Training of BVR Officials ...................................................................................................................... 24
Deployment of Officials and Equipment ............................................................................................. 25
Gendered Dimensions of Preparedness ............................................................................................. 26
Stakeholder Involvement .................................................................................................................... 26
ZEC-Electorate Engagement................................................................................................................ 27
ZEC, Contestant, Vendor and Technical Partners Engagement .......................................................... 28
ZEC-CSOs Engagement ........................................................................................................................ 28
6.6
Adequacy of Time Allocated to the BVR Blitz ................................................................................. 29
7. PRE –BVR PROCESSES.......................................................................................................................... 31
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