By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe is turning to artificial intelligence to widen access to electoral information, with Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda on Thursday officially launching the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) voter education chatbot, ZECBOT, to bring electoral information closer to citizens through digital technology.
The launch marks a new step in ZEC’s efforts to modernize voter education by providing an interactive platform where members of the public can seek information and clarification on electoral processes, their rights and other election-related matters.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Soda commended ZEC for embracing technological innovation, saying the initiative demonstrated how emerging technologies could be deployed to strengthen communication between public institutions and citizens.
“ZECBOT represents a practical and forward-looking step in modernizing voter education and improving the way the Commission communicates with citizens,” he said.
He added that the initiative was also consistent with the country’s digital transformation agenda under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which recognizes the importance of emerging technologies, innovation and skills development in building a knowledge-based digital economy.
“The launch of this chatbot is therefore not merely the unveiling of a technological tool. It is a demonstration of Government’s commitment to placing innovation at the service of citizens, public institutions and national development,” said Dr Soda.
He said access to accurate and timely electoral information was fundamental to meaningful democratic participation, adding that citizens needed to understand electoral processes, their rights and the institutions responsible for administering elections.
“An informed electorate is fundamental to meaningful democratic participation. Citizens must have access to accurate, timely, and understandable information about electoral processes, their rights, and the institutions that serve them,” he said.
Dr Soda, however, cautioned that digital platforms should complement rather than replace conventional voter education methods, noting that physical engagements remained important in reaching communities with limited internet connectivity and digital resources.
“I wish to emphasise, however, that ZECBOT should complement, not replace, the Commission’s established voter education programmes. Public meetings and direct engagement with electoral stakeholders remain essential to building trust, addressing local concerns, and ensuring that no voter is left behind,” he said.
He said voter education should continue through various channels, including radio and television, printed materials, roadshows, community meetings and engagements with traditional leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
“Technology should broaden the reach of voter education, not narrow it,” he said.
Dr Soda also welcomed plans to upgrade ZECBOT so that it can read and respond in all 16 officially recognized languages, saying language inclusivity was essential in ensuring that every citizen could access electoral information.
“Language must never be a barrier to democratic participation. Every Zimbabwean should be able to access electoral information in a language they understand and in a manner which respects their identity and their dignity,” he said.
He, however, warned that artificial intelligence was not infallible and urged users to verify important or time-sensitive information through ZEC’s official communication channels.
The Minister further urged ZEC to maintain strong oversight of the platform through regular updates, quality control and user feedback to improve its reliability and sustain public confidence.
He also highlighted potential challenges associated with digital innovation, including cybersecurity threats, data protection and privacy concerns, digital inequality and the misuse of artificial intelligence to generate misleading content.
ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the launch marked an important development in the institution’s ongoing efforts to strengthen voter education, improve access to electoral information and promote informed participation in democratic processes.
She said ZECBOT built on existing voter education initiatives, which have traditionally relied on face-to-face engagements, community meetings, workshops, outreach programmes and mobile voter education teams.
“The Commission has, over the years, delivered voter education through face-to-face engagements, community meetings, workshops, outreach programmes and mobile voter education teams. We have also made use of information and communication technologies, including our website and social media platforms to share electoral information and updates,” she said.
Justice Chigumba said the chatbot provided an additional interactive platform through which members of the public could ask questions and seek clarification at their convenience.
“ZECBOT builds on these efforts by providing an additional interactive channel through which citizens can ask questions and seek clarification at their convenience,” she said.
She said the initiative was consistent with the Commission’s statutory responsibilities under Section 5 of the Electoral Act, particularly its functions relating to the adoption of appropriate technology and the provision of electoral information to the public.
“This initiative is consistent with the Commission’s responsibilities in terms of Section 5 of the Electoral Act, including its functions relating to the adoption of appropriate technology and the provision of information to the public on electoral matters. ZECBOT is a practical demonstration of our commitment to using appropriate innovation in support of our statutory mandate,” she said.
Justice Chigumba said the Commission was continuing to develop the chatbot, including upgrading its capacity to read and respond in all 16 officially recognized languages in Zimbabwe, in a move intended to reduce language barriers and widen access to electoral information.
She said the Commission was mindful of the limitations of artificial intelligence and cautioned users against treating the chatbot’s responses as definitive legal or electoral positions.
“Like any other AI-related tool, the ZECBOT may not always provide a 100 percent accurate response. Its answers should be treated as guidance and verified, particularly where information is important or time-sensitive, through the Commission’s official channels,” she said.
She said the Constitution, Electoral Act, Electoral Regulations, official notices and lawful decisions and directives of the Commission remained the authoritative sources of electoral information.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act, the Electoral Regulations, official notices and lawful decisions and directives of the Commission remain authoritative. In other words, this chatbot is not our final or only l mouthpiece,” she said.
Justice Chigumba said ZEC was committed to strengthening the platform through regular content reviews, technical upgrades, testing and feedback from users.
She encouraged members of the public and stakeholders to interact with the chatbot and share their experiences to help improve its performance.
“We encourage stakeholders and members of the public to engage with ZECBOT and to share constructive feedback, or even non-constructive, as long as it is communicated in a polite manner,” she said.
She said the ultimate measure of the technology would be its contribution to improving public access to electoral information and strengthening engagement between the Commission and citizens.
“Distinguished guests, technology is an enabler. Its true value lies in the public benefit it delivers. For the Commission, that benefit must be reflected in wider access to voter education, a better informed electorate, and stronger communication with the citizens we serve,” she said.
The launch comes as public institutions increasingly explore digital technologies to improve service delivery, with ZEC seeking to broaden the channels through which citizens access information about electoral processes.
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