zec.gov.zw 2018 General Election FAQs : Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

Organization : Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
Type of Facility : 2018 General Election FAQs
Applicable For : Registered Voters
Country: Zimbabwe
FAQs : http://www.zec.gov.zw/faqs

ZEC General Election FAQs

Will Aliens be allowed to vote in the 2018 general elections?
The Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that one should be a citizen and above the age of 18 to become eligible to register as a voter.

Related : ZEC Zimbabwe How to Remove Name From Voter Roll : www.electionin.org/491.html

If one is an alien they will not be allowed to vote in the 2018 Harmonised Elections.

This is the reason why ZEC is calling upon all those who have not yet regularised their citizenship to do so before they register.

Can one register from any registration centre or are people required to register at a specific registration centre?
One can register from any voter registration centre in Zimbabwe but they can only vote at a particular allocated polling centre using the address given in the provided proof of residence.

Requirements

Why proof of residence? What is its purpose? What about the majority of youths in urban areas who are renting and do not own property?
Proof of residence is a legal requirement and is meant to allocate an eligible voter a particular polling station where they will cast their ballot as stated in Section 157 (1)(b) of the Constitution as read with section 23 of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].

This is also necessary because the country has adopted polling station specific voters’ roll and voting. There are several documents that can be accepted as proof of residence in addition to a sworn in affidavit.

Voter Roll

What will happen to the old voter’s roll? Will there be a totally new voter register?
The BVR exercise entails the registration of all prospective voters afresh to create a completely new voters’ roll. This means that the old voters’ roll will be discarded.

Is ZEC going to avail soft copies of the voters’ roll to political parties?
Section 21(3) [Chapter 2:13] of the Electoral Act states that the Commission shall within a reasonable period of time provide any person who requests the voters’ roll, and who pays the prescribed fee, with a copy of any ward or constituency voters roll, either in printed or in electronic form as the person may request. ZEC is bound by this legal provision.

Media Coverage

Media coverage of elections should be impartial.
It is important to take note that the Commission is required by law to set up a Media Monitoring Committee only during an election period. Outside the election period, it has no power to regulate the media or to ensure its impartiality.

An election period is defined as the period from the date of the Proclamation of an election to the date of the announcement of the results. Further, the Commission has no power to determine the programmes which the broadcaster should air.

For instance, the law does not empower the Commission with power to order media houses to hold presidential debates. Detailed content of the provisions of the Electoral Act is further expounded in the Media Coverage of Elections Regulations SI 33 of 2008.

The regulations provide for the allocation of airtime on television and radio, election programmes and advertisements, election broadcasts and appeals against decisions by the broadcaster. Proposals on how the law could further be improved are welcome for recommendation to the Legislature.

Miscellaneous

Why is ZEC taking finger prints when they are not going to be used on voting day?
As you may probably be aware, every individual has unique finger prints. This enhances identification of voters and also prevents chances of multiple registrations.

The BVR machines will automatically detect such attempts. This means that the chances of duplicates and multiple voting are avoided.

In some instances, voters have been instructed to line behind their village heads and instructed to vote for certain political parties. Does ZEC condone this? Why has it remained quiet when such has happened?
ZEC does not organise how voters come to a polling station (groups or individuals). ZEC, however, will continue to educate the electorate on the secrecy of the ballot which will render such alleged practices ineffective.

What is ZEC doing to ensure that special groups such as those in hospitals, railway workers, prisoners, diasporans vote in elections?
Section 67 of the Zimbabwean Constitution grants every Zimbabwean citizen including those in the diaspora, prisoners and those in hospitals the right to vote. However, implementing this right is not easy in the absence of requisite resources and resultant logistical challenges faced when executing the exercise.

There is need for legislative amendments to the Electoral Act in order to spell out the procedures and processes to be implemented to give effect to this Constitutional provision. It is a matter which requires all stakeholders to engage and agree on how the right could be implemented.