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Activity highlights: Mbare and Highfield community workshops
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
September 27, 2012

Mbare and Highfield Community Workshops

On the 25th and 26th of September, ZESN conducted community workshops at Matapi crèche in Mbare and Zimbabwe hall in Highfield respectively. Below is a table showing the attendance by gender:

The issues discussed include citizen participation, voter registration and voting processes, electoral offences, peace building and conflict transformation. Most participants argued that the voter registration process is tiresome and the requirements are burdensome especially for those who do not own houses. Some participants highlighted that there is inadequate electoral information regarding to the electoral and governance processes in the country hence citizen participation is low in these processes. Most participants complained about the issue of citizenship, with some expressing their displeasure at being denied to exercise their democratic right in the previous election having being termed "aliens". The issues raised with regards the draft constitution were clearly explained with participants being made aware of the changes that the Electoral Bill and the draft Constitution are likely to bring if they sail through.

Challenges

• Participants highlighted the challenge they come across when trying to obtain documents from the registrar general's office. Some said that they were treated like they have committed a crime in their efforts to obtain the documents.
• Some participants said that the high levels of apathy are as a result of their failure to see reason in participating in electoral processes due to violence and a lack of development as a result of the process.
• It was noted that there is a lack of civic education and that organisations such as ZESN must intensify their efforts.
• Participants bemoaned the polarization of the nation and democratic issues.
• Some participants also highlighted the existence of fear of being victimized which they argued was the major reason why the electorate was not motivated to participate in processes for fear of victimization.

Lessons learnt

• Some participants had knowledge and information but lacked confidence or feared political retribution.
• The majority of men in these areas are working hence the workshops attendance was dominated by women.

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