Recently, the MDC-T produced documentary evidence showing that the voters’ roll in urban constituencies was filled with mysterious names.
Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede, attended the Second All Stakeholders Conference on the new Constitution as a Zanu (PF) delegate, a move that has provoked calls from critics for him to resign.
Zanu allegiance
There has also been concern that the ZEC secretariat is made up of individuals sympathetic to Zanu (PF), which raises questions about the commission’s ability to preside over a free and fair election.
People interviewed in Harare said expectations of a free and fair election were fading fast due to alleged voter fraud at the RG’s office.
“The way the Registrar General is operating leaves a lot to be desired. We have heard of people wanting to register to vote being turned away for no apparent reason. On top of that, the officials are not forthcoming when you want to enquire on a particular subject and they just frustrate you until you leave,” said Tatenda Chigwada (25) from Harare South. ”I think there is a need for a probe of the ZEC that will flush out those alleged to be linked to Zanu (PF).”
Linda Savieri (33) from Mount Pleasant said: “The alleged conduct of the Registrar General’s Office points to a need for an audit of the voter’s roll before we go for elections. Also, I think the responsible authorities should investigate if prospective voters being turned away are being turned away for genuine reasons or there is a sinister motive.”
No trust in RG or ZEC
Another woman interviewed, Christine Nkulu (23) from Mbare, said people should have confidence in the RG’S office and ZEC if talk of a credible election was anything to go by.
“We have had the political leaders saying we want a credible election but I do not think we will be able to have one because the Registrar General’s Office and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission are not trusted by the people,” said Nkulu.
The Director of the Election Resource Centre, Tawanda Chimhini said the onus was on ZEC and the Registrar General’s Office to prove they are professional and non-partisan institutions.
“It is important that ZEC and the RG’s office exhibit professionalism, transparency and be inclusive in everything they do. If they are able to do that, allegations that they are partisan will begin to fall away. It doesn’t really matter where some people were prior to their engagement with ZEC. What matters is their conduct at the end of the day,” said Chimhini.
Post published in: News