adminHarare Bureau
GOVERNMENT is satisfied with the state of the voters’ roll and preparations for the harmonised elections scheduled to be held on 31 July.
This was revealed by Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda during a tour of the Registrar General’s Office at KGV1 by a high powered delegation that included senior Government officials.
Some of the officials included Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and another Zec Commissioner Bessie Nhandara, Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede, Public Service Commission chairperson Dr Mariyawanda Nzuwah, Secretary for Finance Mr Willard Manungo and his Home Affairs ministry counterpart Mr Melusi Matshiya.
Speaking soon after the tour, Dr Sibanda said the RG’s Office had managed to clear a number of issues that had been of concern to Government.
“I want to thank our host who has answered most of the queries we had especially on the part of my portfolio as Cabinet Secretary. I had a few question marks but from your presentation during the tour, most of the issues have been clarified,” he said.
The MDC-T and its Western backed non-governmental organisations have made a number of unsubstantiated claims of manipulation of the voters roll in a way analysts have said is part of efforts to discredit the polls.
Dr Sibanda said it was clear the country was ready for elections.
“You have shown us that you are ready for elections. I am satisfied with the preparation and I will communicate to Cabinet through the Minister of Justice (Patrick Chinamasa) for his weekly updates on the state of the voters’ roll expected every Tuesday,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said Government would also look into increasing registration teams especially in Harare and Bulawayo to expedite registration of voters and inspection of the voters’ roll.
Mr Mudede said his department had adopted the use of an electronic system to manage the voters’ roll making it impossible for any individual to manipulate it.
Government has introduced the Zimbabwe Population Registration System to record deaths, births, national identity numbers, citizenship, voter registration and other demographic features that have water tight security features.
“Removing a person from the voters’ roll isn’t a possibility to us. We can carry out an audit trail and the audit trail is not something to play with,” he said.
“If there is anyone who feels we are manipulating the voters’ roll why not be specific and come and check with us. They (people making allegations) are not coming because it is not there. What we want is for people to come with specific issues so that we can deal with it. There is nothing like a person who is dead and is retrieved and is made to walk to a polling station to vote.”
Dr Nzuwah said the PSC would also mobilise resources to ensure a smooth running of the polls.
“I was impressed and you showed efficiency. We will continue to support you with personnel involved during the voter registration. I want to assure you that they will be available to Justice Makarau and team during the election period.
“We will try to assist with transport during the election as the commission as we normally do,” he said.
Mr Manungo said his ministry would continue engaging all parties that have to do with elections to ensure they run smoothly.
“We do not want anyone to be found wanting despite that there are challenges. We are going to bring our heads together as we forge ahead,” he said
Zec has said it is ready for the polls and needs about $130 million to run the plebiscite.
Online Reporter