to observe the May 19-29 inspection process when the law does not
require accreditation of international observers prior to the
proclamation of elections.
Creating a Fresh Voters Roll – ZEC prepared a fresh Biometric
Voter Registration (BVR) process, which resulted in more than 5.3
million Zimbabweans registering to vote. Not withstanding its
accuracy, this was a good move. A review of the 2013 voters roll
shows a clear pattern of over-registration in rural areas, underregistration in urban areas and among young voters, and the presence
of a large number of names of deceased persons still registered. The
reputation of the ZEC could have been enhanced by the successful
administration of this process.
Enhancing Citizen Access to the Inspection Process –the ZEC
established a mechanism by which registered voters can verify their
registration information via mobile phones and a website in addition
to in-person visits to inspection centres.
ZEC Outreach and Communications – The ZEC is engaging
constructively with both political parties and civic organizations. It
meets with political parties on a regular basis and civil society
organizations
Barring Traditional Leaders from Partisan Politics – Traditional
leaders have been accused of engaging in partisan politics to benefit
the ruling party. The 2013 Constitution prohibits partisan politics.
The High Court ruled on May 16 that all traditional leaders must
refrain from engaging in partisan politics.
Reducing Opportunities for Multiple Voting – There were
concerns about individuals voting multiple times in Zimbabwe.
Under the previous ward-based voters roll system, every voters’
name appeared on the voters roll for each polling station in the ward.
The new polling station-based voters roll system, mandated by the
2013 Constitution, requires voters to cast their ballots at assigned
polling stations. Implementation of the system will not allow voter’s
name to appear on the voters roll not more than one polling station
and the number of ballot papers supplied should tally with number of
voters for that polling station.
Enacting a Political Party Code of Conduct – Members of the
ruling and opposition parties represented in parliament, together with
ZEC, agreed to strengthen the existing code of conduct, which was
included in the Electoral Amendment Act, enacted on May 28, 2018.
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