Youths turned away for bringing Affidavits to register as voters

Youths from Bulawayo are deeply frustrated over the change in positions by the Registrar General when it comes to initial voter registration. This came to light after groups of Young people from Magwegwe and Nkulumane respectively went to the registrar’s office to register for the first time to become voters but were turned away for bringing affidavits.

“We went to the registrar’s office on Friday to register to become voters, we had everything that was required to get ourselves into the voters’ roll however things did not go as planned as we were told that affidavits were not required for the process but written letters. We were turned away for bringing affidavits which legally speaking are much better than a written letter,” said a concerned youth who chose to remain anonymous.

In a statement which appeared in The Zimbabwean in 2011, Tobaiwa Mudede, the Registrar General said,”one of the requirements needed for one to register as a voter are: A Sworn statement by employer of applicant confirming applicant's address and any other information or document sufficient to ascertain the applicant's residence. While rural dwellers would need a confirmation letter from the chief, headman or village head, farm owner or mine owner”. 

The youths and residents at large have questioned the decision to send away the youths who had brought affidavits, with some alleging that it is a way of frustrating young people from actively participating in the forthcoming General elections. Young people in Zimbabwe constitute over 60% of the population and their participation in electoral processes can be the game changer in Zimbabwean Politics.

“The decision to send the youths away is questionable. It feels like the registrar’s office is now being used to sabotage potential voters instead of facilitating their registration,” said Bridget Ncube, one of the Youths who were turned away.

She further said, “I am afraid that young people will be frustrated by the process of going back and forth trying to get their documents in order, giving up on their chance to contribute to changing the country’s status quo.”

NYDT, an organisation that is working on assisting young people to register, also voiced its concern and promised to engage the registrar general’s office on behalf of these young people. “Every Zimbabwean, as long as they are above 18 years should be allowed to register to vote. The tendency by officials from the Registrar General’s office to frustrate potential voters can not be tolerated. As an organisation we will be engaging the registrar general’s office to find out if there have been adjustments to voter registration requirements.” Njabulo Moyo of NYDT said.

The registrar general is responsible for the voters’ roll hence the need to go to the registrar’s office to register as a voter. The voters’ roll’s accuracy has in the past been questioned as it is one of the tools used for rigging during elections. Registering as voter is a continuous process, youths and the public at large who are at the eligible age of voting have been advised to go to the local registry and register to vote.