Ballot papers and bribes
Gerry Whitehead based in the Lowveld has sent in a situation report to keep us up to date with how the election went. Here’s what he has to report:
Polling stations run out of ballot papers
The following polling stations had run out of ballot forms by 11.30 am and were turning people away: -
Chiredzi West constituency.
Mukwazi Polling Station
Chigwiti Polling Station
Mkwasine Secondary School Polling Station
SD Adventist Primary School Polling Station
Polly Clinic Polling StationThe MDC (TSV) Chief election agent Nelson Muzamani spoke to the Chief Election Officer in Chiredzi and he said “it is out of my controlâ€. He was aware of how many ballot forms he required. The rally that was held in these areas indicated that these were strong MDC (TSV) areas.Thousands of people were turned away from these polling stations and never got to vote, many were very angry.Also in this constituency ZANU PF were distributing maize 300 meters from the Chisamiso Primary School Polling Station.
Voting equipment and materials arrive late
Chiredzi North Constituency. Voting material and ballot boxes arrived late at many polling stations which meant that the people only started voting after 8.30am. There was a mix up with two polling stations getting the wrong voters lists in this constituency which resulted in some 800 people being unable to vote. In 7 hours only 4 people managed to vote. The police chief and the Chief Election Officer in Chiredzi were advised but by 6.30pm nothing had been done about it.The Chiredzi constituencies are huge and mostly without communications so this is just a little of what is really going on. I believe that ZANU PF have planned this very carefully and believe that the SADC observers and the international communities will just accept it. All indications are that the Zimbabwean people will not accept ZANU PF winning.