ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Justice Rita Makarau yesterday said no prospective voters should be turned away for failing to produce proof of residence.
SENIOR REPORTER
Her remarks followed reports that several prospective voters, especially supporters of the MDC formations, were being turned away in the ongoing voter registration exercise with officials from the Registrar-General’s Office demanding proof of residence, especially in urban areas.
Some of the documents required as proof of residents include property title deeds, rent cards, lease agreements, utility bills, credit store statements or hospital bills.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare, Justice Makarau said: “Where the citizen seeking registration as a voter is unable to produce any of the above documents, they can and must depose an affidavit swearing that they are resident at a place located within the ward.
“No one should, therefore, be turned away or be denied the right to be registered as a voter on account of inadequate or lack of documents proving residence.”
Rural voters are expected to produce a supporting letter from a ward chairperson, village head or chief. Justice Makarau also revealed that the voter education exercise was being stalled by lack of resources.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission admits that the deployment of two voter educators per district is far from adequate and may not cover all eligible voters. This is because the voter education exercise has, to date, only received $500 000 from Treasury against a budget of $8 601 712,” said Makarau.
