THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is next month set
to initiate a pilot project of displaying the voters’ roll outside a polling
station during three by-elections to be held in Matabeleland North province.
The move is meant to improve transparency in the electoral
management system in line with international best practices. Zec announced the
development through a Twitter statement on Wednesday.
“Zec will pilot test the display of voters’ rolls outside
polling stations during the Lupane East National Assembly Constituency, Ward 23
Nkayi RDC and Ward 22 Bubi RDC by-elections to be held on August 3, 2019.
Objective is to direct voters to correct polling stations,” tweeted Zec.
Zec Chief Elections Officer, Mr Utloile Silaigwana,
clarified the development in a statement yesterday saying the electoral
management body was using the by-elections to assess new systems for possible
future adoption.
“Zec intends to use the same system for all future
elections. It is part of best electoral management practices already
implemented in some countries including those in the Sadc.
“The display provides voters with a pre-poll inspection
facility and assures them that they are on the voters’ roll thereby increasing
electoral participation.
“Secondly, it also helps reduce the number of voters turned
away since a self-inspection is easily made prior to one entering the polling
station.
“Thirdly, transparency is increased as all voters at a
particular polling station are free to
inspect the final voters’ roll,” said Mr Silaigwana.
Previously, political parties, especially the opposition,
have raised concern over delays in accessing the voters’ roll claiming it could
contribute to electoral fraud.
Mr Silaigwana said the new developments are part of their
drive to improve the management of elections in the country.
“It (voters’ roll) is displayed to the public for their
information. Allegations of ghost voters are certainly dispelled.
“Stakeholder engagements and collaborations are the other
measures in place for sharing vital information on the electoral process and
allowing stakeholders to participate in some of the electoral activities to
encourage co-ownership of the entire electoral process thus increasing
transparency.
“The Commission has also consolidated observations by
stakeholders arising from the 2018 Harmonised Elections and has come up with
proposals for inclusion in the Law reform agenda,” he said. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment