Dabengwa's new voter's roll bid hits brick wall

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has unfettered discretion to use or not to use the voters' roll compiled by the Registrar General because there is no law compelling the commission to craft a new register from scratch, the Electoral Court has ruled.

Justice Chinembiri Bhunu made the remarks in a case in which Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa was seeking to compel Zec to craft its own voters' roll without relying on the previous one compiled by the Registrar General.

Dabengwa also wanted Zec to immediately take over from the Registrar-General's Office duties such as registering voters, compiling its own voters' roll, keeping and maintaining the voters' roll and ensuring that the public has access to inspecting the voters' roll as provided for by the Constitution.

Justice Bhunu partially granted an order sought by Dabengwa and directed Zec to forthwith discharge its mandate in accordance with the available resources.

Dabengwa wanted Zec to immediately take over duties of voter registration and maintaining the voters' roll in line with the new Constitution.

He also wanted Zec to make available to the political parties and candidates soft or hard copies of the voters' roll on request.