ERC Africa says voters’ roll transfer to Registrar-General must make voting easier, not harder

The transfer follows the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026.

In a statement issued on 14 October, ERC Africa said the merger of the civil registry, voter registration and the voters’ roll offers a chance to improve access and efficiency, but must be handled with strong safeguards.

“While the integration presents opportunities to improve access and strengthen the efficiency of registration processes, the change must be implemented with safeguards that protect the integrity of the electoral process and rebuild public confidence,” the organisation said.

ERC Africa said the central question is not who now holds the register, but whether the new system works for citizens and addresses long-standing concerns.

“The key question is not simply who is responsible for voter registration and the voters’ roll, but whether the new administration enables every eligible citizen to have access without unnecessary barriers, and whether it addresses previous concerns raised by electoral stakeholders, including recommendations made by Election Observer Missions,” it said.

It said the transition and the period after it should be guided by six principles that should also serve as benchmarks for assessing the reform, which are accessibility, accuracy, transparency, inclusion, certainty and accountability.

ERC Africa has called on the Registrar-General to publish and regularly update a comprehensive list of all voter registration centres, including their locations, operating days and hours, and registration requirements, and to disseminate this information widely through accessible channels.

It also urged a nationwide registration blitz and public awareness campaign to explain the transfer, familiarise citizens with the new arrangements and encourage registration.

ERC Africa said particular attention must be paid to young people and first-time voters, whose registration rates have been declining.

The organisation said long-standing practical barriers must be addressed, including the distance people have to travel to register and any direct or indirect costs.

It said special attention should be given to persons with disabilities, communities in remote areas and other groups that face additional barriers.

The ERC Africa said the Registrar-General must also immediately conduct a voters’ roll inspection campaign so that citizens can confirm their registration status and verify their polling station details after the transfer.

On the role of ZEC, ERC Africa said that given the Commission’s central role in administering elections under Section 239 of the Constitution, it must clearly define and communicate its updated role after surrendering the registration mandate. This includes its continued role in administering elections in general and administering the voters’ roll for elections and by-elections.

It further recommended that Parliament, the Ministry of Justice and other relevant institutions immediately review and align the legal and regulatory framework governing elections following Amendment No. 3, to ensure consistency between the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other regulations, policies and procedures governing registration and the compilation and maintenance of the voters’ roll.

ERC Africa urged the Registrar-General, ZEC, Parliament, Government, political parties and civil society to ensure that implementation of the new mandate strengthens, rather than weakens, public confidence in the electoral system.

“Citizens must be recognised not merely as beneficiaries of the electoral system, but as key participants in Zimbabwe’s democratic and electoral processes,” it said.