The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the mop-up mobile voter registration exercise that started on the 26th of October and ended on the 15th of November 2007. The exercise was hampered by poor publicity and several logistical shortcomings.

Highlights

• Exercise not adequately publicised
• Majority of people unaware of the voter registration exercise
• Power cuts affect registration
• Shortage of registration forms and photographic films
• Political parties barely visible in mobilization of prospective voters
• Most traditional leaders facilitate registration of their subjects
• Some registration officials continue to demand bribes from poor peasants

Methodology

This report is based on actual observations of observers that ZESN deployed to the following districts: Mazowe, Bindura, Guruve and Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central; Hurungwe, Kadoma, Makonde, Kariba and Chegutu in Mashonaland West. ZESN also received reports from its observers in UMP; Marondera; Hwedza; Murewa; Chikomba; Seke; Mudzi and Mutoko in Mashonaland East. ZESN also deployed observers in Kwekwe, Chirumhanzu and Gweru in the Midlands. The report is also based on observer reports in Masvingo Province from Chiredzi,Gutu, Chivi, Bikita, Mwenezi and Zaka Districts. ZESN also deployed observers in Harare and Bulawayo.

The report is also based on the feedback that ZESN has received from the members of the public on the exercise through its community workshops.
 
Publicity and Awareness

ZESN observers have not observed any posters by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission close to some of the centers where the registration is going on. ZESN however observed that the majority of the people at most centers were unaware that there was voter registration going on but were aware that national ID cards were being issued. There was little enthusiasm in the people to register as voters as most of them appeared content only to get the ID cards. The publicity campaign conducted mainly through school children mostly concentrated on informing the people of the issuing of ID cards and birth certificates than on the registration of voters.

Turnout

Most centers experienced a low turnout and this could be attributed to the poor publicity as well as the poor identification and selection of the mop up registration centers. In the initial mobile voter registration exercise ZESN deployed observers at some registration centers and they made the following observations: