Chikwinya calls for biometric system

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MDC Renewal has called for the introduction of the biometric vote system to weed out ghost votersbut pointed out that unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2018 elections remains key to unseating Zanu PF.

MDC Renewal has called for the introduction of the biometric vote system to weed out ghost votersbut pointed out that unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2018 elections remains key to unseating Zanu PF.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

Settlement Chikwinya, the MDC Renewal secretary for elections, in his contribution during a debate series on electoral reforms, said a biometric voting system would ensure Zimbabwe meets part of the Sadc guidelines on the holding of free and fair elections.

The meeting was organised by Bulawayo Agenda, a human rights group on Thursday.

Chikwinya said the biometric voting system would bring efficiency and transparency in the administration of elections.

“Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Africa not using the biometric voting system,” he said.

“As we prepare for the 2018 elections, it is of paramount importance that we have a biometric voter registration process.

“If Nigeria with its huge population did it, why are failing as a small nation.

“We need this special voting process to remove the manipulation of the voting process and to remove ghost workers. It will make it difficult to rig the votes.”

A biometric voting system electronically captures citizens’ data including fingerprints and a digital photograph.

It is known for doing away with multiple registrations and voting because it can easily detect duplicates.

In recent years, African countries including Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria have adopted the biometric system.

Joshua Mhambi, spokesperson of the Welshman Ncube led-MDC, weighed in saying without electoral reforms Zimbabwe will continue having sham polls.

“The need for reforms is not only good for those outside power but also good for those in power as it enhances order and also guarantees integrity,” he said.

“There should be efforts to agitate for these changes to ensure order in the way we handle elections.”

However, Chikwinya said even with electoral reforms, without unity, opposition parties will find it hard to defeat Zanu PF in elections.

“We need to dialogue among ourselves as opposition parties. We are being unfair to the voters, we are confusing the voters by having many MDCs,” he said.

“Let us come together and have one political institution to confront Zanu PF.”

Talks to unite opposition parties have failed amid reports that personal differences and egos stalled unification processes.