MDC Press briefing
Details from a just held MDC Press briefing:
1. General high turnout nationally. Long queues in Harare and other provinces. In Harare an average of 400 people had voted at each polling station by 10am.
2. Disturbing events in four Mashonaland Central constituencies as well as in Mashonaland East province. Muzarabani South, North, Mt Darwin North, Guruve North. Uzumba, Maramba-Pfungwe, Mutoko East and North, known MDC supporters including teachers, have been told to plead illiteracy and being ‘assisted’ by Zanu PF. In Maramba Pfungwe, this is happening at Nyangande, Dinde, Datseka polling stations, our people are being “assisted.” In Muzarabani North, this is happening at Muringazuva, Chadereka. In Muzarabani South, this is happening at Mutemakungu, Hoya, Chiweshe primary school and Ucheche polling stations. In Hatfield, we have unearthed massive vote rigging in which 6000 people have been imported district to vote using same registration slips. Some of have been arrested and are at Hatfield police station where the MDC candidate Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada is at.
3. At Bindura primary school known police officers who were part of the special voting are in the queue again today to vote.
4. In Mt Darwin North, this is happening at all polling stations.
5. In Chegutu East, a village head is intimidating by recording names of all villagers as they turn up at Rutara polling station.
6. In Chitungwiza South, Zanu PF supporters telling residents to memorise the last three digits of the serial numbers on their ballots and hand them over after voting.
7. Unknown polling stations: Kanyaya polling station in Muzarabani North was not there.
8. In Guruve North, Masonaland Central, all suspected MDC members are being assisted to vote.
9. Switching of candidates’ faces on parliamentary election ballots in Nyanga.
10. Zvishavane-Ngezi, 300 ballots found in the box with different serial numbers from the ballots issues there. This happened at Mondogori and Mimosa polling stations.
11. Former army officers claim they have received messages to report to KGVI tomorrow, without fail. The message reportedly came from Phillip Valerio Sibanda.
12. We are encouraged by the high turn out. We remain confident that in spite of all these challenges, the people of Zimbabwe will deliver change and real transformation.