By Lovejoy Mutongwiza
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has issued a stark warning against proposed electoral reforms that could redefine voter registration processes.
At the center of the debate is a government proposal to transfer voter registration duties from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department (CRD), with the added introduction of automatic voter registration for citizens upon reaching 18 years of age.
ZESN, a leading advocate for electoral integrity in the country, argues that shifting this critical responsibility away from ZEC risks compromising the independence and credibility of the electoral process.
The organisation highlights that ZEC’s constitutionally mandated role as the overseer of elections and voter registration ensures accountability and transparency in managing Zimbabwe’s continuous voter registration system.
The proposed constitutional changes, introduced earlier this year, also include automatic removal of deceased individuals from the voters’ roll upon issuance of a death certificate.
While some aspects of the amendments, such as streamlined registration and updating mechanisms, have been praised for their potential efficiency, ZESN insists that the broader impact on electoral independence cannot be ignored.
The organization stresses that delegating voter registration to a government department could undermine the perceived neutrality of the process, heighten risks of political interference, and erode public trust in the electoral framework.
It also warns that such changes could reverse the progress made since 2009, when ZEC assumed responsibility for voter registration as part of reforms intended to align Zimbabwe with regional and international electoral best practices.
ZESN advocates for maintaining voter registration under ZEC’s authority, as is the norm in other African democracies such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, where electoral bodies handle both voter registration and delimitation of electoral boundaries.
ZESN suggests that ZEC should work in close collaboration with the CRD to facilitate automatic updates to the voter roll, including the addition of new voters and removal of deceased individuals, without relinquishing its oversight role.
In its November report, ZESN emphasised the importance of a comprehensive, independent, and transparent voter registration process.
It outlined concerns about the potential implications of frequent constitutional amendments, noting that piecemeal changes could destabilize the electoral system.
Instead of transferring responsibilities to the CRD, ZESN proposes enhancing ZEC’s operational capacity to manage the voter registration process effectively. The organization urges policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to electoral reform that strengthens existing institutions and aligns with the principles of Zimbabwe’s constitution and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) guidelines.
As debate over the proposed amendments continues, ZESN’s call underscores the importance of preserving electoral independence as a cornerstone of democracy in Zimbabwe. With voter registration being a fundamental pillar of credible elections, the outcome of this debate will have lasting implications for the country’s democratic future.
