Zimbabwe is going to implement automatic voter registration for 18-year-olds before the 2028 elections.
This change aims to increase voter participation and simplify the voting process.
The government’s new plan will shift the responsibility for voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Civil Registry Department (CRD).
Under the new system, the CRD will automatically register eligible voters using personal and biometric information collected when people apply for national ID cards.
While citizens can apply for a national ID at age 16, they can only vote once they turn 18. Voters will be assigned to their polling stations based on their home addresses.
Key Benefits:
– More Voter Participation:Automatic registration makes it easier for eligible citizens to vote.
– Better Accuracy:** Using government databases helps reduce mistakes and ensures voters are registered at their correct addresses.
-Lower Costs: Automatic registration decreases the need for in-person outreach and paperwork.
– Increased Security: Keeping voter lists updated with current government information helps prevent fraud or errors.
– Encourages Youth Involvement: Automatic registration helps engage young people in politics by making it easier for them to register.
The proposed changes will also take away ZEC’s responsibility for setting constituency boundaries, passing this job to an independent commission.
This is expected to improve the overall management of elections and better connect the voters’ list with civil registry records.
