HARARE —
Concerned by problems that have plagued the mobile voter registration exercise since its launch of the programme two weeks ago, political parties in the unity government Friday requested the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to extend the exercise saying the ongoing program is fraught with irregularities that may disenfranchise a number of Zimbabweans.
ZEC officials met representatives of political parties in Harare on Friday where the parties expressed concern over irregularities in the on-going mobile voter registration exercise.
Nelson Chamisa, organizing secretary of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said his party was not happy that most registration centres were in areas believed to be Zanu-PF strongholds.
But the Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede, who was also present at the meeting, said the centres were supplied by political parties, adding they are the same stations that were used as polling stations in previous elections, a claim that was disputed by Mr. Chamisa.
Ellen Shiriyedenga, director of elections in the MDC formation of Industry Minister Welshman Ncube, said the registration exercise was facing many challenges.
Sidney Sekeramayi, the Zanu-PF secretary for security, also complained that ZEC officers were not at most registration centres countrywide.
ZEC chairperson, Rita Makarau, said her commission will soon engage the Registrar General’s Office to find solutions to the problems raised by the parties.
Meanwhile, for the longest time women in Zimbabwe have been used as pawns in the country’s political game. But this is about to change for women in Zimbabwe, especially with the new constitution forcing the government to empower them in politics.
Sixty seats have been reserved for women meaning that there will be a record number of women in both houses of parliament. To assist towards that goal, the Women in Politics Support Unit (WIPSU) on Friday launched a vote for a woman campaign as the nation heads for possible polls this year.
ZEC officials met representatives of political parties in Harare on Friday where the parties expressed concern over irregularities in the on-going mobile voter registration exercise.
Nelson Chamisa, organizing secretary of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said his party was not happy that most registration centres were in areas believed to be Zanu-PF strongholds.
But the Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede, who was also present at the meeting, said the centres were supplied by political parties, adding they are the same stations that were used as polling stations in previous elections, a claim that was disputed by Mr. Chamisa.
Ellen Shiriyedenga, director of elections in the MDC formation of Industry Minister Welshman Ncube, said the registration exercise was facing many challenges.
Sidney Sekeramayi, the Zanu-PF secretary for security, also complained that ZEC officers were not at most registration centres countrywide.
ZEC chairperson, Rita Makarau, said her commission will soon engage the Registrar General’s Office to find solutions to the problems raised by the parties.
Meanwhile, for the longest time women in Zimbabwe have been used as pawns in the country’s political game. But this is about to change for women in Zimbabwe, especially with the new constitution forcing the government to empower them in politics.
Sixty seats have been reserved for women meaning that there will be a record number of women in both houses of parliament. To assist towards that goal, the Women in Politics Support Unit (WIPSU) on Friday launched a vote for a woman campaign as the nation heads for possible polls this year.
