Political Correspondent
Zimbabwe is set to implement a new automatic voter registration system for individuals turning 18 years old.
This initiative aims to streamline the voter registration process ahead of the next elections scheduled for 2028.
Key Features of the New System
- Custodianship of Voter Registration: The proposed changes will shift the responsibility of voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department (CRD). This transition is part of a broader omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill currently being drafted by the government.
- Use of Biometric Data: The CRD will utilize personal and biometric data collected during the application process for civic documents, such as national identity cards, to automatically register eligible voters. Citizens can apply for a national ID card at the age of 16, but they will only be eligible to vote once they reach 18.
- Polling Station Assignment: Once registered, voters will be assigned to specific polling stations based on the residential address provided during their ID application. If a voter changes their address after obtaining their ID, they will have the opportunity to update their information before registration to ensure they are assigned to the correct polling station.
Implications
This automatic registration system is expected to enhance voter participation and ensure that young citizens are included in the electoral process as soon as they reach voting age. By leveraging existing data from the CRD, the government aims to simplify the registration process and improve the accuracy of the voters’ roll.
Some quarters have described the impending change as a tactic of election rigging.
Referring to the Tobias Mudede era, were the “Civil Registry” was used to rig elections in favour of Zanu-PF, it has been claimed that the ruling Zanu-PF party never ceases to come up with any means of remaining in power.
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