ZEC, Civil Registry 'ready' ahead of Matabeleland by‑elections

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Registrar General's Office have moved to allay fears of delays, assuring the nation that preparations for the upcoming by‑elections in Matabeleland South, Hwange and Bulawayo are progressing smoothly.

Speaking during an engagement meeting on the handover of voter registration and voters' roll management from ZEC to the Civil Registry Department, Chief Elections Officer Dr Simbarashe Tongayi said joint teams were already on the ground. "We are already working together for the by‑elections which are coming. We've got Ward 1 in Bulawayo, Ward 8 in Hwange and Ward 3 in Victoria Falls," he said.

Tongayi confirmed that nomination courts will sit on 2 September, with polling day set for 3 October. He said Provincial Registrars and Provincial Elections Officers in Matabeleland and Bulawayo were already coordinating preparations. "The Provincial Registrars and the Provincial Elections Officers for Matabeleland and Bulawayo are working towards the preparation of the nomination court and the election day," he said.

Registrar General Henry Machiri said the handover was about more than transferring equipment and paperwork. "The purpose of our engagement today is therefore not merely to transfer documents, equipment or systems. It is about ensuring the continuity, integrity, efficiency and sustainability of the voter registration and voters' roll management function," he said.

Machiri stressed that the transition must be handled professionally and transparently to avoid disrupting electoral processes. "Our citizens should continue to receive services efficiently and the integrity and accuracy of the voters' roll must at all times be safeguarded," he said.

He said provincial and district officials had a critical role in ensuring the transition succeeds. "You are the people on the ground who will translate the decisions and arrangements made at national level into practical implementation. I therefore urge you to engage openly, identify challenges early and agree on practical solutions that will support a seamless transition."

Machiri also flagged the upcoming by‑elections as a key factor in sequencing the handover. "These electoral activities must be taken into consideration as we plan and sequence the transition, so that the handover does not disrupt ongoing electoral processes," he said.

On the voters' roll, Machiri said the Civil Registry was already preparing for nomination court requirements. "We will receive the voters' roll from ZEC and make sure that those duly nominated are given that voters' roll," he said.

He added that the ultimate goal was a fully capacitated Civil Registry able to manage voter registration sustainably. "Our objective is to ensure that the Civil Registry Department is adequately prepared and capacitated to assume, operationalise and sustainably manage the voter registration and voters' roll function," he said.

Machiri encouraged officials to focus on solutions. "Let us focus on what needs to be done to make this transition successful rather than on the challenges that may stand in our way."

He expressed confidence in the joint effort. "Through cooperation between the Civil Registry Department and ZEC, we will achieve a smooth, accountable and well‑coordinated handover that protects the integrity of the voters' roll and ensures continuity of service to the people of Zimbabwe."

Dismissing concerns about possible disruption, Machiri said: "So there's no challenge at all. We are on top of the situation and everything is going smoothly. We don't anticipate any challenges."

The by‑elections are expected to test the new arrangement as the Civil Registry assumes responsibility for voter registration. This development contributes to wider discussions around electoral administration reform and voters' roll management.