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with aliens being able to switch to Zimbabwean citizenship at nearly 2 000 centres established countrywide. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spokesperson Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi said yesterday that voter registration teams would be deployed today and immediately start their duties.
“As we indicated, all is in order and we will start deployment of voter registration and inspection officers at centres countrywide today as we announced,” he said.
During the process, people previously categorised as “aliens” are now entitled to Zimbabwean citizenship in terms of the new Constitution.
“If such person is the holder of a national identity document which reflects that he or she is an alien, he or she can apply to be issued with a national identity document that reflects that the person is a Zimbabwean citizen,” ZEC said in a statement.
Those born in Zimbabwe when either their father or mother was a Zimbabwean citizen or any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or registration would be entitled to change their status from aliens.
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People born in Zimbabwe of parents from any Sadc country, who were previously classified as aliens, can also change the status of their citizenship.
ZEC said the application to change the citizenship status would be free of charge.
“Section 43 (2) of the Constitution provides that every person who was born in Zimbabwe before the publication date (22 May 2013) is a Zimbabwean by birth if one of his or her parents was a citizen of a country which became a member of the Southern African Development Community established by the treaty signed at Windhoek in the Republic of Namibia on the 17th August, 1992,” ZEC said.
In order to effect this change of citizenship, the applicant must bring a national identity document if any, the full original Zimbabwean birth certificate and proof of residence.
The 30-day voter registration exercise is provided for in the new Constitution and is set to pave way for harmonised elections expected by July 31.
Treasury has since released US$11,6 million towards the second phase of voter registration meant to cater for thousands of prospective voters who failed to register during the previous exercise.
Over 200 000 first-time voters registered in last month’s mobile voter registration exercise.
Online Reporter