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 Civil Registry Department will conduct a countrywide mobile registration exercise from 01 May to 31 July 2023.
Mobile teams will work from 7 AM to 5 PM, during working days, while for static offices they will work from 7 AM to 7 PM.
On weekends and public holidays, the documents will be issued between 7 AM and 4 PM.
The Department said the exercise will target those who attained 18 years intending to register as voters and eligible voters with lost identity documents which are needed on voting day.
Those who are 18 years and above and require both birth certificates and national identity documents are also set to benefit during the blitz.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said that 129 mobile teams have been deployed across the country in addition to static registry offices. <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/civil-registry-extends-national-mobile-registration-exercise/">Said Kazembe</a>:
<blockquote>
A number of teams have been deployed in all provinces: Harare Metropolitan Province 9 teams, Bulawayo Metropolitan 8, Masvingo 24, Mashonaland East 9, Mashonaland West 8, Mashonaland Central 8, Manicaland 10, Matabeleland South 23, Matabeleland North 10 and Midlands 20.
Each team will be having a different number of people depending on the deployments.
This is the initial deployment but as we go through the process a lot more deployments will be made.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is scheduled to hold general elections between 26 July and 26 August this year.
Last month, the Civil Registry Department, for nine days increased the daily working times to 12 hours during weekdays and 10 on weekends to issue national documents required for voter registration.
The registration exercise had a $24 billion budget and was being conducted together with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) mobile biometric voter registration blitz.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Civil Registry To Conduct Another Mobile Registration Blitz

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

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is reportedly mulling a proposal to allow Batswana and Zimbabweans to use national identity cards (IDs) for travel between the two countries.
Currently, citizens from both countries require valid passports to cross the border.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-president-masisi-wants-to-scrap-passport-requirement-for-zimbabweans-entering-botswana/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> cited The Parrot newspaper as saying Masisi revealed that he will make the proposal over the use of ID cards for cross-border travel when he meets his Zimbabwe counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Part of the reads:
<blockquote>
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has just revealed that in a few months’ time, he will be meeting his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on a visit where he will make sure they discuss the use of identity cards for border crossing between the two countries.
</blockquote>
Arguably, the majority of Zimbabweans who migrate to Botswana will be seeking better economic prospects while Batswana citizens mostly cross into Zimbabwe to seek tertiary education.
In February this year, Masisi and Namibian President, Hage Geingob signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to permit citizens of the two countries to use IDs to cross borders.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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