Youths turned away for bringing Affidavits to register as voters
Youths from Bulawayo are deeply frustrated over the change in positions by
the Registrar General when it comes to initial voter registration. This came
to light after groups of Young people from Magwegwe and Nkulumane
respectively went to the registrar’s office to register for the first time
to become voters but were turned away for bringing affidavits.
“We went to the registrar’s office on Friday to register to become voters,
we had everything that was required to get ourselves into the voters’ roll
however things did not go as planned as we were told that affidavits were
not required for the process but written letters. We were turned away for
bringing affidavits which legally speaking are much better than a written
letter,” said a concerned youth who chose to remain anonymous.
In a statement which appeared in The Zimbabwean in 2011, Tobaiwa Mudede, the
Registraar General said,”one of the requirements needed for one to register
as a voter are: A Sworn statement by employer of applicant confirming
applicant’s address and any other information or document sufficient to
ascertain the applicant’s residence. While rural dwellers would need a
confirmation letter from the chief, headman or village head, farm owner or
mine owner”.
The youths and residents at large have questioned the decision to send away
the youths who had brought affidavits, with some alleging that it is a way
of frustrating young people from actively participating in the forthcoming
General elections. Young people in Zimbabwe constitute over 60% of the
population and their participation in electoral processes can be the game
changer in Zimbabwean Politics.
“The decision to send the youths away is questionable. It feels like the
registrar’s office is now being used to sabotage potential voters instead of
facilitating their registration,” said Bridget Ncube, one of the Youths who
were turned away.
She further said, “I am afraid that young people will be frustrated by the
process of going back and forth trying to get their documents in order,
giving up on their chance to contribute to changing the country’s status
quo.”
NYDT, an organisation that is working on assisting young people to register,
also voiced its concern and promised to engage the registrar general’s
office on behalf of these young people. “Every Zimbabwean, as long as they
are above 18 years should be allowed to register to vote. The tendency by
officials from the Registrar General’s office to frustrate potential voters
can not be tolerated. As an organisation we will be engaging the registrar
general’s office to find out if there have been adjustments to voter
registration requirements.” Njabulo Moyo of NYDT said.
The registrar general is responsible for the voters’ roll hence the need to
go to the registrar’s office to register as a voter. The voters’ roll’s
accuracy has in the past been questioned as it is one of the tools used for
rigging during elections. Registering as voter is a continuous process,
youths and the public at large who are at the eligible age of voting have
been advised to go to the local registry and register to vote.