Yesterday, Tuesday the 22nd of 2018, Vendors Voter Educators (VVEs) based in Chitungwiza met to deliberate on the ongoing Voters Roll Inspection process. The VVEs were drawn from Makoni Shopping Center, Chikwanha Shopping Center, Chigovanyika and Ziko Business Center. The objective of the meeting was to active the “Street Conversations Zones” in all the four places represented. The activation of the “Street Conversations Zones” would also foster the creation of points for information dissemination and ideas sharing during this critical phase of the electoral cycle.
During the meeting VISET secretariat distributed some Information, Educational and Campaign (IEC) materials for use during the process. The VVEs were informed that, VISET is working with some civic society organisations that are providing a shuttle service, a public service aimed at aiding voter registration and inspection of the voters roll in Harare. The VVEs were assured that once they mobilise and assemble groups of 10 people and above then they can make use of a toll free 08080219 and shuttle bus will be availed.
VISET continues to urge all its members to take a keen interest in this important process by coming out in large numbers to inspect the voters’ roll. Street vendors now constitute 60 percent of the now dominant informal sector and to that end for an election to be successful and democratic in Zimbabwe, this critical sector must understand their rights and responsibilities, and must be sufficiently knowledgeable and well informed to cast ballots that are legally valid and to participate meaningfully in the voting process.
Source: Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET)