The election body, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), has cleared the air on identity documents for voting following recent reports implying that those with metal identity cards would not be allowed to register during the forthcoming biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise ahead of the 2018 make-or-break polls. Zec said that voter registration requirements were enshrined in Section 4 of Statutory Instrument 85 of 2017 (Voter Registration Regulations), which states that “for any Zimbabwean to register as a voter, they can use a national identity document which takes the form of a metal ID, plastic ID or a waiting pass with the holder’s photograph”.
“There is no law that has invalidated the metal identity card as proof of identity. All national documents listed above remain valid for voter registration and voting during the 2018 harmonised election,” Zec chairperson Rita Makarau said.
“Zec would like to allay fears and uncertainties that may have arisen from recent press reports.”
Makarau said during the BVR exercise, Zec would register all Zimbabweans whose citizenship is “confirmed by the national identity documents lawfully issued to them”.
Full Article: Zim electoral body Zec clears air on IDs for voting | African Independent.