By Senzeni Ncube and Tanaka Mrewa
Lack of sufficient information on the ongoing mobile Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise has resulted in some Bulawayo residents failing to register as voters, CITE has established.
This came out during a voter education roadshow held on Saturday by Election Resource Center (ERC) in collaboration with EkhayaVote2023, CITE and other CSOs in the western suburbs.
Bulawayo has a low number of registered voters and this could result in the province losing several constituencies during the delimitation process.
Eight wards and three constituencies are set to be contested for following the recalling of parliamentary and local government representatives.
Some of the residents who spoke to CITE said they were not aware that the registration exercise was ongoing nor were they aware of the days and dates.
“I didn’t know that the registration process was still ongoing. I’m glad that I have actually received this information, I will go and register,” Tatenda Miti from Nkulumane suburb said.
Another resident from Emganwini, Phinias Khumalo (40), said he does not know where to get information on voter registration and as such he has never voted in his life.
However, some residents were quite aware of the process and had already registered.
“I registered last year,” said Miss Ndlovu from Emganwini.
“The process was very easy and the officers were quite helpful. I took with me my ID and proof of residence and that was all they required.”
Hope Ncube (20) from the same suburb said she has not yet registered but she intends to do so during this current BVR exercise.
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Tanaka Masibi and Tsitsi Manunure, from Magwegwe, who registered today, said the process was easy and quick.
Meanwhile, Mzilikazi resident said she was not sure of the location of the voter registration centres in his ward.
“I am a registered voter but we are concerned about where to register the youth, information has been limited,” said the resident.
In Makokoba, residents were also inquiring where they could take the elderly and those with disabilities to register to vote.
