Multitudes of expectant civil servants and security officers are struggling to cast their votes owing to poor logistical coordination. It has also failed to measure up to ZEC’s promises that it is ready to conduct national elections. The exercise is fraught with irregularities such as lack of ballot papers, no ZEC staff at polling stations intimidation and vote buying. We are receiving reports from our agents on the ground and police officers who are waiting to cast their votes.
The following are some of the disturbing reports coming from various centers across the country;
Mt Pleasant Hall
A total of 30 police officers at Mt Pleasant Hall smashed windows claiming ZEC was too slow in the process. However the station opened at 7am in the morning.
Kuwadzana Community Hall
A woman police Inspector was inspecting police officers who were in the queue at Kuwadzana Community Hall. This action is intimidatory to the police officers. As a result of the action, 19 Officers were turned away on allegations of not having correct papers.
There were no ballot papers at Mabvuku Hall, Kuwadzana Community Hall, Mt Pleasant Hall, Highfield High 1 School and Town House by 0900hrs. In Mbare, Mai Musodzi Hall centre opened at 08:00 with a few people.
Mash West
No ballot papers in the whole Province by 10:00hrs. The process was still to start up until 12:00hrs. In Chinhoyi ballot papers came at 09:30hrs. The Process is still to start. Accreditation started at 10:00hrs. Overally ballot papers came late.
Mash Central
No equipment has been send to the Province. In Shamva North there is no sign that the process shall start. In Mazowe North at Mvurwi Town Council Offices, there is a campaign by Zanu PF supporters taking place within 100 metres. The process is still to start because there are no ballot papers.
Officers in Charge in Mount Darwin and Mbire addressed police and directed them to vote Zanu PF. They also warned them they will find out who they voted for.
Matebeleland South
The whole province is still to vote. In Bulilima East, they claim material is still in Bulawayo and it will arrive in two hrs time from (1000hrs)
In Beit Bridge East, voting is still to start in Chikualakuala. In Gwanda Central, at Joshua Nkomo Polytechnic the voting process was yet to start at 01000hrs. The same applied in Gwanda North.
Insiza South and North, ZEC officials had not arrived by 0900hrs this morning.
In Beit Bridge West, there were no ZEC Officials at Zezani Primary School by 0900hrs. Officials were said to come by 11:00hrs. At the time of writing, there were no officials.
Stations just started receiving ballot papers at 1037hrs.
Masvingo
No ballot papers in the whole province by 10:00hrs
In Chiredzi East – In Ndali, the Member in Charge for the local police station is in charge of the voting process instead of the ZEC Officials.
MDC polling agents turned away in Zaka, Bikita and Chiredzi. No proper reason given.
In Chivi North at Nerupiri, some civil servants told to vote on the 31st of July 2013 because they registered on the 30th of June 2013.
Mat North
No ballot papers by 10:00hrs this morning. In Umguza, Hon. Masuku observed that more than 5 buses of Support Unit troops have been recorded in Nyamandlovu
Nkayi North – Sithembiso Nyoni slaughtered a beast for police officers yesterday. A case of vote buying. Voting is still to commence by 1000hrs this morning.
In Tsholotsho, voting is still to start because there are no ballot papers and boxes including the technical staff.
Hwange Central, East, West and the whole of Victoria Falls, no ballot papers by 09:00hrs
At Lwendulu School in Hwange Central Number 1, Zanu PF cadres were busy campaigning 100 metres within the centre. This is a violation of the Electoral Act.
Mash East
Most places like Mudzi North, Maramba, Wedza North, Seke Teachers and Ngezi, ballot papers came as late as 09:00hrs. In areas like Mutoko and Mrehwa elections started well on time. No problems faced so far.
In Macheke, voting started after 10:00hrs. However the ballot papers are wrapped and it is difficult to see if the papers have been voted on or not. ZEC claims that political parties agreed that polling agents from political parties can not have access to the papers.
Chikomba Central, no ballot papers by 11:00am.
Midlands North
In Gokwe South, the voting centre is still to open as at 11am.
Mberengwa East, nothing has happened up to now.
In Shurugwi North, ballot boxes and ballot papers are still to reach the concerned polling stations.
Midlands South
No ballot papers as at 10am.
Gweru Urban
Voting was till to start by 11:00hrs. No ballot papers and boxes have been delivered to the province.
Manicaland
No ballot papers in Manicaland by 1200hrs.
Nyanga South
Zanu PF has pitched its command centre 5 metres away from the polling station. This is the clearest manifestation of lack of readiness on the part of ZEC to conduct a credible poll.
As a party we are concerned that if ZEC cannot manage 209 centers for this special vote, how will they manage over ten thousand polling stations on 31 July 2013? The MDC believes it would be a travesty of justice and a violation of people’s rights if ZEC fails to correct all these anomalies in time for people to vote.
Post published in: News