The project is expected to see the commission installing software that links the national command centre with all district offices to enable the real time electronic transfer of future poll results. But a source within the commission told The Zimbabwean that the institution was failing to secure funds for the $20 million software required.
“We had a target to complete the project by March but that will not be possible. The government told us it would not fund the project and we are relying on donors,” said a source.
ZEC announced last year that it would install software to enable swift transmission of poll results and put an end to accusations of vote tampering.
In an interview acting ZEC Chairperson Joyce Kazembe failed to shed light on the issue saying it was work in progress. “I cannot say much about it,” said Kazembe. During the 2008 March elections, some ZEC officials were accused of posting wrong figures leading to the contestation of the outcome. Election results were transported by road in the company of polling officers and there were frequent reports of ballot boxes going missing.
Election Resource Centre Director, Tawanda Chimhini, said stakeholders were suspicious about ZEC’s conduct and urged the board to involve stakeholders in the digitalisation process.
“We have tried to engage ZEC on several occasions regarding the installation of the software for the electronic transmission of poll results. But they have failed to give any information about what is going on. Why are we being kept in the dark? We need to know which company won the tender and when the project will be finished. This is a critical component in the road map for a free and fair election,” said Chimhini.
Meanwhile ZEC failed to kick start the voter’s registration campaign scheduled for January 3, citing financial constraints.
Post published in: News