Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said it is illegal for those acting as Commissioners of Oaths to pre-sign affidavit forms used to register for the 2018 elections.
Makarau’s response comes after aspiring member of parliament for Mount Pleasant Advocate Fadzayi Mahere questioned why the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has not arrested Zanu-PF MP for Mount Pleasant Jaison Passade for pre-commissioning proof of residence affidavits. Blank affidavits which had been signed and stamped by Passade were found in Mount Pleasant, something which is illegal. Said Makarau:
Affidavits cannot be pre-signed, it’s not allowed. Those that want to sign the affidavits should be at the registration centres, We have heard about it from our provincial elections officers. We have told them that it is unacceptable and it must be stopped. We do not have information on the political parties that are doing it, but we have been told by our officers that they have seen people who are issuing out pre-signed affidavits.
More: Herald