The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) launched a report on Thursday with observations from their extensive research on Zimbabwes voters roll.
The group concluded that the voters roll is inaccurate and needs serious attention, but if taken positively it can instruct the changes that need to be made. Detailing some of their findings, ZESN chairperson Tino Bere said 27% of the registered names are of dead people and at least 3000 are of people in the advanced ages between 110 and 130 years old.
ZESN found that there were more men registered than women, 52% versus 48%. Bere said: This is unusual considering there are more women in the country than men. Youth were also underrepresented, with only 18% of the registered voters being in that category. There ought to be a lot more than that, said Bere. The ZESN chairperson said the intention of the research was to have a scientific way of discussing the voters roll rather than just saying it is in shambles.
Regarding the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Bere said the composition of the commission is now inclusive because of the unity government and the ZEC leadership appeared to be committed. But the commission has not been given the full mandate to manage the voters roll and they need more resources. The voters roll needs to be available to the public and it needs to be available freely and easily, said Bere. He added that only print copies were currently distributed and electronic versions need to be accessible.