ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE - NUMBER 11 Harare – 23 November 2017 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) continues to observe Phase 3 of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise which commenced on, 16 November 2017 and will end on 1 December 2017. Phase 3 was marred by a few incidents which include; challenges powering the BVR equipment when using solar power in cloudy weather. ZESN observed phases 1 and 2 and continues to observe phase 3 and phase 4 of the BVR process with at least 1 observer per ward. Turnout ZESN observed, a generally low turnout, during the first week of phase 3, which can be attributed to the onset of the rainy season which hindered movement of people. In addition the start of the 2017 planting seasons meant that people’s attention would be divided between setting aside time to engage in farming activities and registering to vote. Furthermore the political impasse that was experienced during the period 16-21 November 2017 had a negative effect on turnout as people were cautious about travelling to registration centers. Examples of voter registration centers that recorded low turnout include Arex House, ward 12 Bikita west, 5 people registered on 16 November 2017, Luveve Depot Hall, in Ward 16 of Bulawayo which registered 4 people on 17 November 2017, Silver stream, Umguza in Matabeleland South registered 2 people on 18 November 2017, Masuku primary school A, in Bulawayo South which registered 3 people on 21 November 2017. Hence ZEC and other electoral stakeholders need to consider increasing their voter education and voter mobilization to increase turnout for phase 4. Cumulative Registration Statistics ZESN commends the Commission for increasing the frequency with which they are providing updates on registration statistics. According to an update released by the ZEC on 21 November 2017, a total of 381,611 people have been registered to date under the phase 3 of the registration exercise. Cumulatively 2,830,735 people have been registered since the commencement of phase 1 through to phase 3. ZESN implores ZEC to also disaggregate the statistics by gender and also by age. Power Challenges ZESN observers have noted that, in instances where heavy rains occur and when the weather is cloudy, challenges are being experienced with regards to charging the batteries

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