Fredrick Moyo
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) reluctance to fully inform the public has eroded voting enthusiasm, with the commission being accused by Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) of inadequately advertising nor placing signage on voter registration sites.
Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) Programmes Officer Ishmael Kupfuwa said the low turnout of people visiting registration centres is because of inadequate information about the registration blitz while some have no required documents.
“The low turn-up of people going to register as voters is notably due to lack of information about mobile voter registration centres and also failure to have national identity cards especially to those who recently reached the voting age. Many people especially those in rural areas who do not have access to social media platforms have not been reached with adequate information,” said Kupfuwa.
He added that ZEC should strengthen their access to information using the media and also place posters in public places and in constituencies where the blitz is taking place and providing voter education as stated in section 239 of the constitution.
“ZEC should intensify access to information through the mainstream media, local radio stations, roadshows, adverts through local media houses and putting posters at public places in constituencies where mobile voter registration is taking place.
“It is the role of ZEC to provide voter education and register voters as enshrined in section 239 of the National Constitution and various actors should be allowed to compliment ZEC in voter education without stringent conditions provided in section 40C of the Electoral Act,” he added.
Election Resource Centre (ERC) Legal and Advocacy Officer Takunda Tsunga said lack of information about the blitz is leading to low turnout.
“The low turnout can be attributed to amongst other things lack of awareness on the blitz. There was insufficient information provided on the location of the mobile BVR kits and the blitz itself.
“There has been an increasing apathy brought about by disputed 2018 elections and the resultant lack of the implementation of electoral reforms necessary to build public confidence in electoral processes which will increase participation. Failure to implement reforms is impacting on participation levels and ZEC must carry out a robust awareness campaign working with all relevant stakeholders,” said Tsunga.
ZEC launched 287 registration centres in Masvingo province in the current blitz which will run from February 1 to 30, 2022, followed by the next that will run from April 11 to 30, 2022.
