In an interview with The Zimbabwean at the weekend, Dabengwa said such an exercise was not difficult and could be completed way before the next polls.
“In 30 days, we can queue at ZEC centres across the country and have our names and all necessary details captured. That time frame is effective and does not even impinge on expected dates for the next elections. Why should ZEC keep on patching the old voters’ roll which has been in existence for over 3 decades? No amount of patching it will satisfy us or make us view it as credible. The elections body should simply come up with a new roll. In other countries that is happening,” he said.
The former ZIPRA member’s come against a background of criticism on the current voters roll by political parties and the civic society. Researches have indicated that dead people and some who are over 100 years have their names in the roll. Such an occurrence makes the roll prone to manipulation for rigging tactics.
Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede, has in the past been accused of taking advantage of the shambled voters roll to rig previous elections in favour of President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) party.
Turning to the July 31 election deadline set by the Supreme Court last week, Dabengwa said his feeling is that all necessary processes should first be put in place.
“We still have a lot to do in terms of preparing for the elections. I do not think we can go for the polls by July. There is wisdom in finalising the road map rather than rushing for polls which will be contested and rejected by the family of nations,” said Dabengwa.
Post published in: News