The Civil Registry Department (CRD) is set to launch an advanced online platform that allows citizens to apply for passports and national identity cards online.
The Government also intends to unveil the Zimbabwe Population Registry System (ZPRS), a platform that will act as a central database for all Zimbabwean citizens’ demographic information.
The platform, which will hold citizens’ details such as names, dates of birth and places of residence, is said to be undergoing final testing.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/passport-id-applications-go-online-2">The Sunday Mail</a>, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the online platform for citizens to apply for passports and national identity cards will start working before the end of the year. He said:
<blockquote>
The online passport application is expected to be working before the end of 2024.
The Zimbabwe Population Registry System is in the testing phase for some of the modules, and the system is expected to be implemented beginning of July 2024.
The Electronic Document and Records Management System is in its development stage and the expectation is that by the end of the year, it will be completed.
</blockquote>
Registrar-General Henry Machiri told The Sunday Mail that the online application platform should be ready by the fourth quarter of this year. He said:
<blockquote>
We anticipate being ready by the fourth quarter, but there are outstanding issues to be resolved first.
When applying online, payment processing is also a crucial aspect that needs to be functional.
The Government Internet Service Provider, a department under the Office of the President, is responsible for this aspect.
We need to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared. Based on our consultations, we expect everything to be in place by the fourth quarter.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe To Launch Online Platform For Passport And ID Applications

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says voters are NOT required to bring proof of residence to the polling station on voting day.
Voters should bring proof of identity, that is a national ID or a valid Zimbabwean passport.
ZEC said this while responding to Pindula News‘ inquiries after a recent report by a local publication claimed that registered voters should produce national identity cards or a Zimbabwean passport as well as proof of residence when going to vote in the 2023 harmonised elections.
The report cited a statement issued by ZEC acting chief elections officer Jane Chigidji on 21 March 2023.
But ZEC has told <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a> that proof of residence is required when one is registering as a voter.
On voting day, one is not required to produce proof of residence but should produce his or her National Identity Card or valid Zimbabwe passport to vote. ZEC said:
<blockquote>
Proof of residence is required when one is registering as a voter so that he/she is properly assigned to a specific polling station and not on the day of voting.
Only one’s proof of identity is required on the day of voting. One has to produce his/her Identity Card or valid Zimbabwe passport to vote.
</blockquote>

Proof Of Residence Is Not Required On Voting Day - ZEC

The government has extended working hours at the Civil Registry Department and also deployed mobile registration officers to issue identity documents to the public ahead of general elections scheduled to be held later this year.
In a statement, the Civil Registry Department said all static registry offices including the mobile teams will operate from 7 AM to 7 PM between Monday to Friday and from 7 AM to 5 PM on weekends.
The Civil Registry Department said the initiative is targeted at 18-year-olds and above who are intending to register as voters. Part of the statement reads:
<blockquote>
Department is conducting a mobile registration exercise from 12 to 21 March 2023 in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Mobile Biometric Voter Registration blitz.
Mobile teams have been deployed across the country to augment the existing static registry offices.
This programme is meant to provide citizens with an opportunity to obtain national identity documents which will enable them to register as voters in the upcoming 2023 Harmonised General Elections.
The exercise is targeting those who attained 18 years of age intending to register as voters, those who lost their identity documents and are eligible to register as voters in the 2023 Harmonised General Elections and those who are 18 years and above who require both birth certificates and national identity document.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Extends Civil Registry Department Working Hours

The government is giving preference to high school learners in the issuance of polythene-synthetic Identity Cards (IDs) while limiting to the general public.
The move has been necessitated by a shortage of consumables and unpaid licences and dongles that require foreign currency.
Pupils are being prioritised to ensure that they can register for the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) examinations.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe said the Civil Registry Department was limiting the number of applicants for polythene-synthetic IDs. He said:
<blockquote>On the issue of national identification, my ministry faces challenges in issuing polyethene synthetic identification.
This is due to a shortage of consumables and unpaid licences and dongles that require foreign currency.
Kazembe said due to the shortage of polyethene synthetic, the ministry has relied on issuing Green Copy Waiting Passes to citizens waiting for the plastic IDs.</blockquote>
The Minister also said they are planning to conduct a national mobile registration exercise once all the logistics are in place in order to end long queues at registry offices. He said:
<blockquote>To address this situation, my ministry plans to conduct a national mobile registration exercise once all logistics are in place, this is to make sure that everyone gets a chance of applying for a national identity card and in order to curb long queues mobile registration exercise will come in handy.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/identity-cards-for-learners-only/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

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