Zanu-PF 'strongholds' record highest number of new voters

Zanu-PF strongholds have recorded the highest number of first-time voters who registered during the first leg of the ongoing voter registration exercise while the perceived "safe constituencies" of the MDC formations recorded low figures.

According to figures made available by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) last week, Zanu-PF strongholds in Mashonaland East, Central and West recorded the highest number of first-time voters out of the 204 041 who registered to vote between April 29 and May 19.

The figures show 35 266 such voters registered in Mashonaland East; 31 570 in Mashonaland West and 29 635 in Mashonaland Central.

Bulawayo recorded 5 068, Matabeleland South had 9 403, Matabeleland North recorded 13 536 while the Midlands registered 23 404 first-time voters.

Manicaland also recorded 24 024; Masvingo 20 610 and Harare 11 525.

A total of 268 574 people also inspected the voters' roll between April 29 and May 19.

In addition, the first leg of voter registration resulted in 214 233 people obtaining new identity cards while 71 131 others moved from one ward to another.