CCC Accuses ZEC Of Frustrating Youths Trying To Register

CCC has accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of frustrating youths trying to register to vote ahead of the 2023 elections.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Thursday last week, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said ZEC is turning away youths intending to register on “flimsy” grounds. Said Mahere:

The narrative that young people don’t want to vote is a myth. We have gone to the ground and, in fact, when we mobilise youth to vote, the first thing they say is we don’t have identity cards. Youths are extremely key.

We know that there is a voter registration suppression strategy by ZEC that prevents youths from voting in next year’s elections.

Youths are one of the most affected people in this country as they do not have jobs.

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Youths are being given flimsy excuses when they want to register. They will be told there is no electricity, our machines are not operating and we are refurbishing the building.

These are the obstacles youths are facing and we are blaming ZEC for the low turnout of people who are registering to vote.

Just to drive my point home, have you heard of any ZEC campaign on the radio or on ZBC encouraging people to vote?

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust (ZEAT) executive director Ignatious Sadziwa said ZEC was being mischievous and should be disbanded. He said:

ZEC is notorious for failing to meet its constitutional obligations. It’s high time we rethink its composition. It’s high time ZEC should be disbanded.

It is a mischievous ploy by ZEC to frustrate youths and youths constitute a large chunk of the population and it’s very unfortunate that they are being turned away.

According to the Constitution, ZEC should be neutral and fair and everyone should be given an opportunity to register to vote.

According to statistics released by ZEC last month, as of 10 June, the country’s registered voters numbered 5 804 975, a 2% increase from 5 695 706 in 2018.

More: NewsDay