Debate intensifies over plan to return voters’ roll to RG office

A proposal to transfer control of Zimbabwe’s voters’ roll back to the Registrar General’s Office has triggered renewed debate over transparency, efficiency and the integrity of the country’s electoral system. Under Section 239 of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, responsibility for compiling and maintaining the voters roll was assigned to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The move was part of broader reforms aimed at insulating the electoral process from executive influence, as the Registrar General is an executive appointee.

The transfer was implemented ahead of the 2013 general election. However, Constitutional Amendment No. 3 of 2026 proposes reversing that arrangement, arguing that the Registrar General, as custodian of birth, death and citizenship records, is better placed to ensure an accurate and up-to-date voters roll.

The voters roll is the official register of eligible voters and is widely regarded as central to the credibility of any election. Political analyst Takura Zhangazha said the proposed changes would significantly alter the constitutional framework governing elections. Speaking onThis Morning on Asakhe, a current affairs programme hosted by CITEZW, he said the amendment bill seeks to modify Section 43 of the Constitution to explicitly include the Registrar General’s Office in matters relating to the voters roll.

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“What is being added is significant,” Zhangazha said. “Previously, the Registrar’s office and its role were not in the Constitution. It is now being made explicit that there will be a voters roll done by the Registrar General.” He said the bill also proposes changes to Section 160 of the Constitution, renaming the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as the Zimbabwe Delimitation Commission, and amending Section 161 to redefine its functions.

According to Zhangazha, the proposal would create a new body responsible for constituency delimitation, while the Registrar General would oversee the voters roll. “The argument is that because the Registrar General already manages birth certificates, death certificates and passports, it would be more efficient for that office to maintain the voters roll,” he said. But critics argue that the change raises political concerns, given Zimbabwe’s contested electoral history. Zhangazha said the Registrar General’s Office had previously faced allegations of partisanship before the voters roll was moved to ZEC in 2013.

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