News / National
'Zimbabwe cannot afford Biometric Voter Registration'
15 Nov 2016 at 06:54hrs | Views
MDC has objected to the use of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) in the upcoming 2018 elections citing Zimbabwe's economic incapacity to implement it and has suggested focusing on simple electronic voter registration.
In a recent statement released by MDC to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the party stated that BVR is amongst a lot of issues that require alignment in the way the electoral body operates.
"Zimbabwe is currently incapacitated to implement an effective and efficient Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system, and should focus on a simple electronic voter registration system as espoused in the General Laws Amendment Act of 2016," reads part of the statement.
MDC said the BVR system is not clear and it lacks transparency and non inclusive tendering and procurement processes.
The statement further stated BVR implementation had "Inadequate stakeholder consultations, and lack of clarity or consensus regarding the type of BVR system to be implemented.
"Currently the proposed BVR system is in the tendering stage yet political stakeholders were not given the opportunity to input on the desired specifications of the system," reads the statement.
MDC further stated ZEC, as an independent institution, must maintain independence from its stakeholders.
"ZEC together with all other independent institutions are accountable to Parliament and should not to be controlled or directed by anyone else.
"Parliament should have the ultimate oversight role over ZEC and not the Ministry of Justice or any other entity. ZEC should have its own Accounting Authority status and receive funding directly from Treasury and not through some vote in the Ministry of Justice," reads the statement.
According to the statement ZEC should immediately set an inclusive media monitoring framework to ensure fair and balanced media coverage for all political players as well as repealing of POSA and AIPA.
"These have contradictory implications to the Constitution and Electoral Act as they impede on the fundamental freedoms and rights of assembly and association, access to information, expression and media freedom," reads the statement.
"The Observers Accreditation Committee should be reviewed and comprise of independent persons only. The presence of Ministerial and Office of the President and Cabinet representatives impedes on the impartiality of the process,"
MDC also demanded de-centralisation of accreditation centers to avoid disenfranchising some prospective local observers who cannot afford to travel long distances.
"In 2013 elections, for some reason most polling stations did not display the Presidential elections results as stipulated," read the statement.
In a recent statement released by MDC to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the party stated that BVR is amongst a lot of issues that require alignment in the way the electoral body operates.
"Zimbabwe is currently incapacitated to implement an effective and efficient Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system, and should focus on a simple electronic voter registration system as espoused in the General Laws Amendment Act of 2016," reads part of the statement.
MDC said the BVR system is not clear and it lacks transparency and non inclusive tendering and procurement processes.
The statement further stated BVR implementation had "Inadequate stakeholder consultations, and lack of clarity or consensus regarding the type of BVR system to be implemented.
"Currently the proposed BVR system is in the tendering stage yet political stakeholders were not given the opportunity to input on the desired specifications of the system," reads the statement.
MDC further stated ZEC, as an independent institution, must maintain independence from its stakeholders.
"ZEC together with all other independent institutions are accountable to Parliament and should not to be controlled or directed by anyone else.
"Parliament should have the ultimate oversight role over ZEC and not the Ministry of Justice or any other entity. ZEC should have its own Accounting Authority status and receive funding directly from Treasury and not through some vote in the Ministry of Justice," reads the statement.
According to the statement ZEC should immediately set an inclusive media monitoring framework to ensure fair and balanced media coverage for all political players as well as repealing of POSA and AIPA.
"These have contradictory implications to the Constitution and Electoral Act as they impede on the fundamental freedoms and rights of assembly and association, access to information, expression and media freedom," reads the statement.
"The Observers Accreditation Committee should be reviewed and comprise of independent persons only. The presence of Ministerial and Office of the President and Cabinet representatives impedes on the impartiality of the process,"
MDC also demanded de-centralisation of accreditation centers to avoid disenfranchising some prospective local observers who cannot afford to travel long distances.
"In 2013 elections, for some reason most polling stations did not display the Presidential elections results as stipulated," read the statement.
Source - Radio Dialogue
