Photo: GCIS

President Jacob Zuma meeting with President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare (file photo).

The Justice and Legal Affairs Minister, Patrick Chinamasa has confirmed that the Zimbabwean Supreme Court judge, Justice Rita Makarau has been appointed as acting chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission till the end of December 2013.

"The appointment will give Justice Makarau the responsibility to oversee the conducting of a voter registration if it is carried out, the referendum expected next month as well as the harmonised elections at a later date," Minister Chinamasa said.

As required under the Zimbabwean Constitution, the chairperson must be a judge or former judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, or a person qualified for appointment as such and the president appoints the ZEC chairperson in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.

ZEC is preparing for a voter registration and education as part of initial stages for this year's general elections and the constitutional referendum.