Commissioner Emmanuel Magade, head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed the payment of US$3.7 million for the procurement of biometric voter registration kits scheduled for use within the country's voter registration process ahead of the much- anticipated 2018 general elections.

The ZEC says each BVR kit includes a laptop with encryptable USB ports, digital signature pad and pen, fingerprint scanner, ID and document scanner, digital camera, solar kits and encryptable USB flash disks.

However, the procurement has been met with criticism and scepticism locally, particularly among opposition parties.

Amid allegations of fraudulent voter registration, local opposition parties have expressed concern over the security of the infrastructure and plan to protests against the implementation of the BVR system.

"It's (BVR kits) new in our election systems, so it is very intimidating especially in rural constituencies. People also do not want their photos on public documents, as a result it disenfranchises people," said Pishai Muchaura spokesperson for the opposition, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe

While the BVR system might help fix the problem of the voter's roll, it is not the complete panacea to the number of challenges that are traditionally associated with Zimbabwe's elections said Toendepi Shonhe, a political analyst and former MDC-T senior official.

"The BVR just add figure prints and photos of the voter to the current system. So, there is no magic in the process. In terms of eliminating double votes, the issue is more about how voting slips will be treated. Regarding cleansing of the voters' roll, the real danger is in some sections of voters being left out which will muddy the roll more than clean it, said Shonhe.

Commissioner Magade said the initial batch of 400 BVR kits, of the 2 600 ordered, are expected to land in Zimbabwe in September. The rest of the consignment will be shipped before the end of the year, following a contract extended to the supply company, the Chinese Laxton Group.

The ZEC has confirmed that the voter registration process will start as soon as the first tranche of BVR kits arrive in the country and is expected to finish within three months.