UPDATED: Mugabe announces biometric voter registration dates

President Robert Mugabe has announced the dates for biometric voter registration (BVR).

In a Government Gazette published today, Mugabe proclaimed that voter registration will start on September 14, 2017 and end on January 15, 2018 according to  section 36A( 1)(a) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13]. The Proclamation reads:

WHEREAS it is provided in section 36A( 1)(a) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that the President, on the advice of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, may at any time, by proclamation, order that there shall be a new registration of voters in all wards and constituencies; AND WHEREAS the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has notified me, in writing, of the need to conduct a new registration of voters in all wards and constituencies: NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in me as President, I do, by this my Proclamation—(a) order a new registration of voters in all wards and constituencies; and (b) fix Thursday, the 14th September, 2017,as the date upon which the new registration will begin; and (c) fix Monday the 15th January, 2018, as the latest day upon which claims and applications for registration shall be received in all wards and constituencies; Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare this fifth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and seventeen.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) this week held a five-day BVR Master trainers and Technicians’ training workshop in Harare. After the training, the master trainers and technicians are expected to train at least 8 500 kits operators that will be deployed countrywide for the implementation of the BVR.