The 2010/2011 Voter Registration Exercise

The 2010/2011 Voter Registration Exercise

The Commission launched CVR on 21st June 2010 through an initial 90 days mobile registration exercise. Towards the end of the initial 90 day exercise, the mobile registration exercise was extended for a period of 72 days from 19th September up to 30th November 2010. This was in order to meet the commission’s targeted number of 2.1 million new applicants. It was also observed that most people did not have green national registration cards which are a pre-requisite for one to qualify to register as a voter. During this extension, the commission worked with the Department of National Registration (DNR) of the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that more people were issued with NRCs.

Following the close of the mobile registration, the Commission continued registering people at Civic, Municipal and City councils throughout the country up to February 2011. The Commission was prompted by calls from stakeholders to extend the mobile voter registration again this year for a further twenty one (21) days. The exercise which commenced on 10th March 2011 ended on 31st March 2011. Once again the commission worked closely with the Department of National Registration to ensure that as many eligible citizens who obtained the green national registration cards were registered as voters.

While 2010/2011 voter registration exercise marked the beginning of CVR, it was also undertaken to prepare for the 2011 tripartite elections. The Commission is utilised the 2006 register of voters as the basis for CVR. This means that all those that registered in 2005 did not need to register again. The voter registration exercise provided for the following:

• Registration of eligible Zambian citizens of 18 years and above and in possession of a green national registration card. Citizens who will turn 18 years by 31st July 2011 are eligible to register because the 2011 register of voters will be certified on 31st July 2011.
• Replacement of a voter’s card that is lost, defaced or destroyed. A police report is required to replace a voter’s card. There is no fee for the police report.
• Correction of personal details on the voter’s card.
• Transfer of a voter who has changed locality to a new registration centre.
• Removal of deceased persons from the voters’ register on the confirmed advice of a friend or relative with the necessary documentation proving the death.

Who was eligible?

In order to register as a voter, you must be:
a Zambian citizen in possession of a green National Registration Card;

• an ordinarily resident in the polling district where you apply to be registered; and
• at least 18 years old.
• Registering to vote is now as easy as 1-2-3

With the use of digital registration kits also known as PARKits (People Authentication Registration Kits) this time around, registering to vote is quicker and easier. Once you identify yourself at the registration centre by producing your Green National Registration Card, the Voter Registration Officer quickly captures your personal data. You'll then have your photo, fingerprint taken and signature digitally recorded using the facilities on the PARKits. Once this has been done, your voter's card will be ready, checked and given to you.