'Do not force people to register,' says ZEC

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission yesterday told more than 20 political parties to stop forcing people to register as voters for the forthcoming harmonised elections as such a practice is an infringement of human rights which may affect the holding of a free and fair election.

Bessie Nhandara, Zec's commissioner responsible for voter said that parties should let people make a choice of whether they wants to participate in polls or not.

Zanu-PF youths have allegedly been forcing people to buy the party's membership cards as well as providing voter registration slips for those who would have registered at the Registrar General's office.

Meanwhile, Zec boss Justice Rita Makarau will appear before parliament to give an update on the body's readiness to conduct impeding polls.

With another round of voter registration in the offing, legislators are keen to quiz Zec in order to ascertain whether the body has made requisite corrections.

The meeting will be held in the Senate chamber next week on Wednesday.