Zimbabwe’s electoral body has registered 75 political parties to contest the 2018 elections. Only 35 parties were previously registered, with many more expected to join the race, according to New Zimbabwe news agency.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Rita Makarau told a Political Parties Forum that it was now up to the registered parties to make sure that their supporters were registered to vote next year.
“I am told that political parties that will be contesting the next general elections that have registered are now 75 compared to the 35 we last had our meeting. Well done political parties. To date, 25 571 people have been registered countrywide as at October 2, 2017,” Makarau said.
The Zimbabwe body commenced the registration of voters on Sept. 14 and would end the process on Jan. 15. Opposition parties have been demanding a new roll for voters and have previously accused Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party of manipulating the existing register. ZANU-PF denies these accusations.
