The Zimbabwean government’s recent move to shift management of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department (CRD) signifies a considerable reform aimed at increasing transparency and reducing administrative inefficiencies. Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi highlighted that this reform is expected to address long-standing issues such as outdated voter records and allegations of “ghost voters,” especially voiced by opposition parties like the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
Streamlining Voter Management
By housing the voters’ roll under the CRD, which already manages civil records from birth to death, the government aims to establish a more accurate, auto-updated voter registration system. The shift promises practical changes, including the automatic registration of citizens upon reaching voting age and the removal of deceased individuals through death records—an approach praised for its potential to eliminate voter roll discrepancies
Opposition Skepticism and Resistance
While the CCC has previously criticized ZEC’s voter management, it now opposes this change, citing concerns over government motives. The CCC argues that centralizing voter data within a government department could lead to political bias or manipulation. Critics suggest that past reforms, though framed as empowering, have allegedly been used to consolidate government influence, casting doubt on the intent behind the proposed amendment
A Call for Constructive Engagement
Despite CCC’s reservations, many observers believe that this reform offers a rare opportunity for bipartisan agreement to ensure a fair electoral system. The proposed change could build a transparent, accurate, and accessible voting system—a goal that would serve all political actors if implemented with proper oversight
