UNDP Resident Coordinator Mr Bishow Parajuli yesterday commended the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for the manner it had so far carried out the site validation tests for two companies bidding to supply Biometric Voter Registration kits.

The tests for the kits began last Thursday while mock registration exercises were held in Harare at Mabvuku High School on Monday and at Murape Secondary School yesterday.

“What I am very pleased with is that all stakeholders are involved. It is being done in a transparent manner. There are a lot of political parties, technical experts are here, the media (are here) and ZEC staff, that is good.

“What we need to understand is that this is just testing of the equipment. It is mock voter registration process and it is an important step in choosing the right equipment,” he said.

Mr Parajuli also welcomed Government’s commitment in contributing funds for the procurement of the equipment. Government has provided at least $17 million for the exercise while development partners have provided $7 million through the UNDP.

“UNDP will continue to work with ZEC and what is key as we move forward is for everybody engaging in this to continue in a transparent and peaceful manner. Our role is purely technical support to ZEC. We are helping strengthening the capacity of ZEC,” Mr Parajuli said.