ZEC says "aliens" can vote in 2018 elections

In a statement, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said that Zimbabweans of foreign descent commonly referred to as “aliens”, will be allowed to vote in next year’s elections.

Said Makarau:

It has come to the attention of Zec that there may be some confusion regarding the rights of certain Zimbabwean citizens born in Zimbabwe and where one or both of their parents was not a citizen of Zimbabwe but was a citizen of a country belonging to the Sadc to register to vote in the forthcoming biometric voter registration exercise. These have been called ‘aliens’ in common electoral parlance. Zec reiterates that these Zimbabweans are eligible to register to vote in accordance with the electoral laws like any other Zimbabwean citizen.

She however said that such citizens need to regularise their status from “alien” to citizen. Makarau also said that people can register to vote anywhere provided they produce their proof of residence.

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