By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Zimbabwean high court has declined the application by the opposition leader in the country to access the electronic copy of voter register, citing national security.
Allan Makharm, a member of Parliament elected on the platform of Citizens Coalition for Change had last year urged the electoral umpire, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to avail him electronic copy of the register, a request ZEC refused.
The opposition lawmaker therefore approached the court, arguing that among other reasons, he wants to track the register in response to allegations of delimitation. As a sitting legislator, his interest in the document was pertinent, he told the court.
Makharm also said an electronic copy was ideal as printed one would be inconvenient and too expensive for him.
He cited firebrand cyber based pressure group, Team Pachedu that has brought continued discomfort to the country’s poll management authority through pointing out glaring irregularities in ZEC’s operations amid alleged bias towards the ruling Zanu-PF party.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) however maintained its ground that the release of the electronic voter register would expose the document to manipulation.
In his ruling, Justice Never Katiyo of the Harare High Court, ruled that the application was premature, stating that it would be in the best interest of justice if the electoral body kept the electronic roll, urging Makharm to instead pursue other remedies than suing the commission.
Katiyo said ZEC was mandated to protect the voters roll from manipulation and abuse.
He ruled, “a voters roll is a very sensitive document” which if mishandled may compromise electoral issues.
“It is wise that it is guarded jealously so that it’s given to individuals when it’s right.
“The 58 days which have lapsed since this application was launched cannot be said to be too long and taking into consideration that this case came to court prematurely.
“It is his (Makharm) right to request but in the same vein, ZEC is obliged to speedily come out with a voters roll with all security features.
“In the final analysis, this court finds that this case lacks merit, is prematurely before the courts and that ZEC should make sure that it protects the voters’ roll taking into consideration the Cyber Protection Act. Each party to bear its own costs.”
