We face the disenfranchisement of thousands as well as vote rigging at the ballot box and in far more sinister ways through the machinations of the very individuals entrusted with ensuring the will of the people is recorded and respected: the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. But not even the great malevolence of the regime can defeat the united, revolutionary strength of a people who will do anything possible to bring about the change for which they have campaigned for so long. But we will fight by all means necessary.
On election day we know that we will face long queues, so we will come ready to wait. We know registration might be challenged, that the corrupt powers that be will try anything to dissuade, discourage and intimidate us. But we will make our voices heard and we will cast our rightful ballot.
It is clear that, as in past elections, Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) thugs are trying every trick in the book to distract and deter the people from exercising their right to vote on July 31. Do Zanu (PF), the police and the military think they can arrest everyone? They cannot. Do they think they can intimidate everyone? They cannot. Do they think they can disenfranchise thousands in every community across the country? They cannot. If we, the people of Zimbabwe—those of us who are crying out for change and real progress—stand together, they cannot arrest us all. We have the power. We can line up to vote—we will be seen. We can share with our friends, neighbours and loved ones that we will be voting and that they should vote too. We can share that we are voting for those we love who cannot, for those who have given their lives for a freedom that has yet to be delivered, for those who have left the land of their birth to find employment, because this government offers none here. We can now vote for leadership that—instead of bringing more years of oppression—has a plan to bring economic and political reforms. A plan to create new jobs, rebuild our failed infrastructure and to rejoin the international community.
We have a choice in Zimbabwe. It is not an easy one and our struggle over the past 13 years proves, Mugabe and Zanu (PF) will not release their grip on power easily. History has taught us to plan for the worst: fraud, intimidation and violence. For those who see or experience any of these, I encourage them to share this information widely. Post it on the internet, call it in to hotlines reporting violence, share it on social media, take photos, and send them to independent media. We must shine a light on this darkness and let the “chaos faction” know that we are watching and the world is behind us. We know they plan to steal the election and we must watch for these thieves and protect what is rightfully ours.
Monitors and poll watchers will also play a role. They must remain vigilant in what may be a chaotic environment and prepare for a day of battle. They must challenge instances of fraud and potential fraud. They must protect the God-given right to vote that so many made sacrifices for. They must ensure that they operate in the light and that what they see and what we see, the world sees too.
Victory can be ours, providing we are fired up and want it enough. We must do everything to ensure the people of Zimbabwe and the world know that our choice is for change and that we will accept nothing less than Morgan Tsvangirai as our new president for the beginning of a new dawn.
We have seen before how those who cling to power and rape our resources will try to make this election theirs. We cannot let that happen. If they try to fix the results we must protest by all means available. If they falsify victory we shall take to the streets to show that we will not accept a manufactured defeat. We have been denied too many times and we will not be denied again. The time for change is now.
Post published in: News