ZEC closes offices due to COVID-19

THE ZImbabwe Electoral Commission has once again closed its offices as a Covid-19 containment measure following the upsurge of cases caused by the recently detected Omicron variant.

This comes amid fears that Matabeleland region may lose a number of constituencies given the low voter registration turn out in static ZEC offices.
ZEC has also suspended voter registration blitz which was scheduled for this month a development which civic society says may deter many from registering to vote.
“It is hereby notified to the general public that all Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices across the country will be temporarily closed for nine days from 11 to 19 December as a measure to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus among internal and external stakeholders. During this period the commission will fumigate its officers to do contact tracing and testing all staff members,” said ZEC in a statement.

ZEC said all members of staff will be working remotely from the homes save for those dealing with critical issues that may require access to their offices.
“The commission encourages its internal and external stakeholders to observe the national Covid guidelines and the ZEC Covid policy on electoral activities during the break,” said ZEC.
Contacted for comments EkhayaVote2023 coordinator Nkosikhona Dibiti said the closure of the ZEC offices was a huge blow to the progress the organisation had made in mobilizing young people to register as voters.

He said in the future ZEC should consider engaging civic organizations before making such decisions.
According to Dibiti, going electronic could be the only solution as Covid-19 is still prevalent and people also need to enjoy their constitutional rights at the same time.
“We were in the middle of mobilizing young people to go and register and where shocked to hear that ZEC has closed its offices. This is the second time they have let us down as they recently suspended the much awaited voter registration blitz which was going to save us from losing constituencies especially in Bulawayo,” said Dibiti.

“Yes we understand there is Covid and other challenges that ZEC is battling but if they engage civic organizations I am sure that we can all come up with solutions that will ensure we continue participating in these electoral processes without any challenges.”
Dibiti added that a meeting has been scheduled with ZEC to map a way forward.