Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-03-29 06:04:05
The Zanu PF is pushing for the return of the old voter registration system, which was abandoned ten years ago. This system, administered by Tobaiwa Mudede, was known for having ghost voters on the electoral roll. The party wants to transfer the responsibility of voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department under the office of the Registrar General, similar to the pre-2013 setup overseen by Tobaiwa Mudede.
During Tobaiwa Mudede’s tenure, concerns were raised about the presence of “ghost voters” on the electoral roll, as it was difficult to purge deceased individuals from the list. The proposed revisions include the establishment of an independent commission to handle delimitation duties currently managed by ZEC. Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi revealed that these changes were recommended by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators in the Ninth Parliament in preparation for the upcoming 2023 general elections.
Minister Ziyambi emphasized the efficiency of the proposed system, which would integrate voter registration with the issuance of national identification cards. This integration would ensure automatic updates to the voter roll when individuals reach the age of 18 or pass away. He also clarified that the changes were not driven by animosity towards Tobaiwa Mudede, despite previous suggestions labeling them as the “Tobaiwa Mudede Amendment.”
Concurrently, discussions are ongoing to amend the Constitution to enable an independent commission to take over the responsibility of electoral boundary demarcation. This strategic restructuring aims to relieve ZEC of tasks related to the voters’ roll and delimitation, allowing the commission to focus solely on administering elections.
The proposed changes have sparked debate and discussions among political stakeholders and citizens. Some believe that the reintroduction of the old system could lead to manipulation and irregularities in the electoral process, while others support the idea of streamlining voter registration and identification processes for a more efficient system.
As the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections, the restructuring of the electoral process remains a pivotal issue. The outcome of these proposed changes will have a significant impact on the transparency and credibility of Zimbabwe’s electoral system. It is essential for all stakeholders to engage in open dialogue and constructive debates to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process that upholds the democratic principles of the nation.
In conclusion, the Zanu PF’s push to revamp the voter registration system and transfer responsibilities to the Civil Registry Department marks a significant shift in the country’s electoral landscape. The proposed changes aim to address past challenges and improve the efficiency and accuracy of the voter registration process. However, the potential impact of these changes on the integrity and transparency of the electoral system remains to be seen as discussions and debates continue among political stakeholders and citizens.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
