ZEC wraps up phase 2 of the mobile BVR Blitz
IN just one day, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission phase two of the mobile Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Blitz will come to an end with reports that uptake remains lower than expected.
The first phase saw a handful of eligible voters registering to vote, a development which may affect some Provinces during the Delimitation Exercise.
Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South Provinces had one of the least registered votes meaning a number of Constituencies may be lost as the country gears for the 2023 Harmonised Elections.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Bulawayo Provincial Elections Officer, Innocent Ncube said he was however happy with numbers that have been recorded during phase two of the Blitz.
“We continue to register members of the public in our mobile centres, static sites and even in our ZITF stand hoping they take advantage of the remaining few days. We are not even sure if there will ever be a mop up exercise at this point that will afford them another chance to register as voters hence the need to make the most of this second phase,” said Ncube.
“We have noted with gratitude a chance however in uptake during the second phase as there was a significant increase in number who went to register in all our centres. That is a good sign and I am sure that by the first of May we would have availed proper figures as they keep changing because our teams are working flat out to register every willing member of the public.”
During phase one, about 80 000 new voters were registered and ZEC is targeting to register election 500 000 voters in the second phase.
Stakeholders have, however, embarked on campaigns to encourage citizens to register as statistics show that the three Matabeleland Provinces are set to lose out on Constituencies.
Speaking after registering at ZITF, Elina Ncube said ZEC should consider another National Blitz before the 2023 Harmonised Elections to accommodate those who are yet to get a chance.
She said some people still do not have identity cards despite the ongoing registry programme.
“I managed to register during ZITF and was happy to note that ZEC hasn’t stopped assisting those willing to vote next year. However, we have scores of people in communities yet to register and they should be considered as well so that we do not lose constituencies as a Province. I come from Filabusi and I know that our Province and Bulawayo have few people who have registered to vote,” said Ncube.