Bulawayo News 24
By Takudzwa Chiwara
30th November 2017
The low registration of voters in Bulawayo is of great concern, says former Minister of Education David Coltart.
Coltart attributed voter apathy in Bulawayo to low morale and relocation to greener pastures abroad. As of November, 22, Bulawayo registered 114 389 voters, representing 27,9 percent of the targeted 409 389 people.
“The low registration of voters in Byo is of great concern.
“It is rooted in v (very) low morale here and in the fact that many of our citizens (more so than elsewhere) are in the Diaspora. The Constitution must be fully respected” i.e. ALL citizens over 18 must be allowed to register and vote,” tweeted Coltart.
However, a tweeter user, Tee Vanjick #FBPE†said attributing Bulawayo voter apathy to emigration is problematic since it carries the connotation that the city of kings is empty.
“Sorry David, I’m not laughing at the matter of voting but the excuse you just put there? Is Bulawayo empty because people are in the diaspora?”
As of November, 22, Harare registered 468 149 people, which is 34,8 percent of its target of 1 345 818, while Manicaland province registered 373 356 people.
Mashonaland Central has registered 306 768 voters. ZEC statistics show that Mashonaland East has registered 341 601, Mashonaland West, 274 125, Matabeleland North, 389 592 people, Matabeleland South, 123 366 people.
Masvingo has registered 48,8 percent of its 754 314 target. Zimbabwe is set to hold its election in 2018 which will be heavily contested by ZANU PF, MDC Alliance and an array of opposition parties that mushroom towards election time.