Zimbabwe’s Electoral Reforms, A Step Forward or Backward?

By Shingirai Vambe

A proposed constitutional amendment in Zimbabwe seeks to transfer the responsibility of voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department (CRD). This move has sparked intense debate, with some arguing that it undermines the independence of ZEC and others seeing it as a step towards streamlining the electoral process.

At the heart of the proposal is the introduction of automatic voter registration for citizens turning 18. This means that young people will no longer need to physically register to vote, but will instead be automatically registered upon reaching voting age. The CRD will use personal and biometric data collected when citizens apply for national ID cards to facilitate this process.

While the idea of automatic voter registration has been welcomed by many, concerns have been raised about the implications of shifting responsibility for voter registration from ZEC to CRD. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) has warned that this move could undermine the progress made in 2009 when the country adopted an independent model for electoral management.

Zesn argues that voter registration is a critical component of democratic systems, determining who has the right to participate in selecting political leaders. The organization believes that ZEC should continue to administer voter registration independently to build trust and confidence in the electoral process.

Others have pointed out that moving election management to a government department may limit inclusivity and participation. Moreover, this change potentially dents public trust in ZEC, compromising its independence and stewardship of elections.

Despite these concerns, the government has argued that the proposed changes will streamline the electoral process and improve efficiency. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has stated that the automated system will handle updates to the voters’ register, including removing names of deceased individuals from the roll.

As the debate continues, it is clear that the proposed reforms have significant implications for Zimbabwe’s electoral landscape. While the introduction of automatic voter registration has the potential to increase voter participation, the shift in responsibility for voter registration from ZEC to CRD raises important questions about the independence and integrity of the electoral process.

The voter registration process and management of the voters’ roll have undergone significant changes over the years. Prior to 2009, the Civil Registry Department, led by Tobaiwa Mudede, was responsible for voter registration and maintaining the voters’ roll.

However, this arrangement was marred by allegations of vote rigging and manipulation, with many political parties expressing concerns over the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. The opposition parties argued that the Civil Registry Department, being a government agency, was not independent enough to manage the voter registration process and the voters’ roll.

In response to these concerns, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was established in 2009 as an independent body to manage all election processes, including voter registration and the maintenance of the voters’ roll ³. This move was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and credibility in the electoral process.

Despite these reforms, challenges persist, and there are ongoing debates about the best way to manage voter registration and the voters’ roll in Zimbabwe.