Monday Jan 28:Â I arranged to be away from work (I am one of the few Zimbabweans who has a job).
Tuesday Jan 29: First stop, Makombe complex. After visiting three offices (and the gate guard, door guard, photocopy man), I am told, “ZEC Office, Fourth Floor, Cecil House – Corner Jason Moyo and Third.”
I get there, walk up the stairs (the lift does not work), and search for someone. The reception and two adjoining offices are empty, but someone on the stairs helps. “Am I from a Party, or Independent?” they ask. “Independent.” “Councillors’ papers are with the local authority. You must go to Town House. I sent the papers there yesterday.”
Off to Town House – but the Chamber Secretary (along with many others) is away at a memorial for the dead firemen. “Can you come back in the afternoon?” In the afternoon, she is still away.
Wednesday Jan 30: I see the secretary and fill in a form to say I have the forms. I ask for, and she will prepare, “a written certificate of clearance in terms of section 125 of the Act from: b) the relevant council.”
I get to work at 1200. And leave early, to get “a written certificate of clearance in terms of section 125 of the Act from: a) the Zimbabwe Republic Police.”
At the police station, I am told, “go to a bookstore, buy two finger print forms, then come and get fingerprinted -only between 1000 and 1200. Then take the forms to Morris Depot, for clearance.
Anyone out there registered in Ward 7 who wants to nominate me? Let me know, I will come by with the requisite form. I am still not sure if I should stand or boycott. The election will not be free and fair (if Zanu PF thought they might lose, they would not hold it), but the campaign will be a chance to bring up the issues (like refuse collection), and make people think about what they want, instead of what they do not want. If I get elected (and there is definitely a chance of that) can I make a difference in Council? Is there a danger I will be overwhelmed by Party people who only know how to say what their party tells them to say? Even with that danger (an others) do you still want me to give it a go? Or can I achieve more by campaigning, and then withdrawing before the elections.
Thursday Jan 31: I went to a bookstore, (in Ward 7 of course) and bought 2 fingerprint forms. Z$1 million each. Then to the police station (still in Ward 7) at 1130 to be fingerprinted. Not even very messy with the black stuff all over.
Then down to Morris Depot, CID HQ (which is just outside Ward 7). “Come back after 1400,” says the gate cop. I sit there and read. After 1400 I go in, and join the queue. Finding the queue is confusing. I start by trying to join the front of it; since I do not know which way it is going. Ask lots of people, whoare all as lost as me, but eventually I join it, on bench seats in the shade!
shuffle along the benches, and go to the right window. Pay Z$5 million, and am told, “tomorrow, 1600”.
Short and sweet. It just disturbs me; a Zimbabwean has to pay (and in cash) to stand for election. Not a direct fee, but under the law, we all have to pay to go through the administration to get nominated. Strikes me as not very
democratic. Isn’t this a bit like the Smith regime’s qualified voting system?
Friday Feb 1: About 0930, I went down to Avondale School (yes, in Ward 7) to inspect the voters’ roll. There, I met a young policeman who told me he had been there since 0700, but no one had arrived with the roll.
Went to work. Left work early, and went to Morris Depot CID HQ, and collected my police clearance at 1630.
Then back to the voter’s inspection station. There are now two police, and one woman in civilian clothes. No, I am not on the voters’ roll. We check under Laban, then under Michael as a last name, all to no avail.
So I produce papers, and we fill in a form. My papers are proof of residence (a ZESA bill), National ID (which says citizen), passport, original voters registration certificate (dated 20/07/99,number 343465), payment receipt that
quite clearly says “restoration of Zim Cit” (dated 1 Dec 2005, number 432513 JJ). The officials are friendly, and very helpful, and cannot see why I am noton the roll (I have always lived here, in this block of flats since 1995!) and
make me double check the form before signing it. Come back tomorrow.
Saturday Feb 2: I am back. No response. Market Square is not working – it is a weekend, although the officials at Avondale School are there all weekend. Come back Tuesday. Fine, I will be back on Tuesday. “But what if there is a problem? There will only be until Friday to sort it all out?” “There will be no problem,” I am assured. – To be continued
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