Young women make the majority of voters at Referendum

No statistics were however available to back the observations.

Though voters from all age groups went to cast their ballot here, women within the 18-35 age group were visibly outstanding in the queues because of their superior numbers.

Observers attributed the dominant young women turn out to high expectations invested by the women in the constitution which if adopted would empower them in all sectors of the economy.

“The proposed 60 reserved parliamentary seats for women from across provinces among other expectations might have helped motivate young women to cast the ballot at the Referendum in their numbers,” said returning officers and observers who refused to be identified.

Observers noted that the participation of male youths was below expectations. “We have observed that as opposed to the dominant female youths voting male youths seem to be disinterested in the exercise as reflected by their low turnout.”

Youths interviewed by The Zimbabwean said they could not participate in the referendum as they failed to acquire national registration documents in time for the crucial national event.

The situation for those in the rural areas was worsened by the failure by the Registrar General’s office to carryout prior election mobile documentation exercises across the country due to financial constraints.

Generally, voter turnout at some polling stations was described as poor. Ruware Primary Polling Station which was allocated 2 200 ballot papers had only registered 161 cast ballots by 4pm. At the same time Marondera Central’s 30 polling centres had collectively recorded 13

721 votes.

Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network chairperson Solomon Zwana said poor preparations for the referendum could have contributed to the voter apathy experienced in some parts of Harare.

“People failed to relate to the referendum since they were not given ample time to study the draft document, let alone access it. We have always said that the referendum was not supposed to be rushed before the draft was adequately publicised to the electorate,” Zanwa told The Zimbabwean.