Chief among these is the requirement to provide proof of residence. “I am failing to get hold of our Sabhuku (Village headman), to write me a letter as required by the R G’s office as proof of residence. The only time I managed to talk to him, none of us had a pen so he could not write me the so-called proof. I have tried visiting his homestead several times but he was never at home,” said Munyaradzi Mwenga of Makuvaza village.
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network highlighted this as a major problem for young people in its recent report. The report says burden of proof is greater for urban dwellers than for the rural population where a letter from the Kraal head is sufficient proof of residence, but the Youth Forum has found that many rural youngsters are unable to get the document.
“Young people are always viewed with suspicion when they decide to register before any election dates are announced,” says the Forum. “Government employees at the RG’s office in Bikita have been cooperative in registering youths, but the proof of residence requirement has made it difficult for many. Ironically, the Zimbabwe Electoral Act does not make the proof of residence mandatory. It simply says the registering officer “may” demand proof of residence.”
But in practice, proof of residence has been demanded without flexibility, especially for urban dwellers, thus increasing the burden of registration on the voter. “Proof of residence is also discriminatory for people who are homeless but would like to vote,” notes the ZESN report.
The Youth Forum has called on the government to review its laws to allow all deserving voters to register without hassles.
Post published in: News