Delays in releasing funds stalling mobile voter registration

Delays in the release of the US$21 million by treasury are stalling the mobile voter registration exercise that should have started early January.

Political parties have intensified campaigns to mobilise supporters to register as voters ahead of harmonised elections.

However, a lot of people, especially those in remote areas rely on the mobile voter registration exercise.

Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said treasury is playing delaying tactics in releasing the funds that will enable the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to embark on the important exercise.

The entire voter registration process in the country's 1 958 wards needs US$21 million.

The new constitution stipulates that ZEC will be in charge of the process, but the commission requires funding to at least commence mobile registration, inspect the voters' roll and carry out voter education.

The Registrar Generals office will also need funding for the duties they will carry out during the mobile voter registration exercise.

Currently voter registration is ongoing and people are being registered at the RG's offices in the districts.

The mobile voter registration exercise has the advantage of taking the registration personnel to where the people are regardless of their location from ward level, constituency and district level and everyone eligible to vote will have access to exercise their constitutional right.