Source: Zanu PF, Zec contradict over BVR turnout in Midlands – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 11, 2017
ZANU PF and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) have issued contradicting reports on the ongoing biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise in the Midlands province, with the ruling party bemoaning low turnout, while the commission points to a high turnout, the Southern Eye has learnt.
BY STEPHEN CHADENGA
On Tuesday Zec commissioner in charge of the province, Qhubani Moyo, was quoted saying there was a high turnout of registrants in the ongoing BVR exercise and that most registration centres in the province were meeting their daily targets.
Zvishavane Ngezi legislator and Zanu PF provincial secretary for finance John Holder, however, said the low turnout which has seen 272 000 people register so far was worrisome.
“The low figures so far in the province are worrying,” Holder said, while addressing a provincial co-ordinating meeting in Gweru on Wednesday.
“”People are not registering and this can cost the party (Zanu PF) if we do not act now. It is everyone’s duty to encourage people to register as voters because the figures we have at the moment are pathetic.”
Holder said there was low voter turnout, particularly in cities and towns with the Midlands capital, Gweru, having registered just over 4 000 voters, while Zvishavane had 27 000 people registered.
Midlands province had a population of close to 1,6 million people, with a voter population of 800 000.
To date Zec has registered over two million people nationwide as the country prepares for next year’s general elections.
Civil society and legislators across the political divide have blamed the voter registration apathy on stringent registration requirements.
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