ZEC admits disenfranchising over 500 000 voters

A total of 511 791 voters were disenfranchised either through assisted voting or were turned away in the 31 July 2013 elections, figures which vindicates the MDC’s position that last week’s elections were a monumental farce as Zanu PF assisted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the State machinery stole the people’s victory.

In the figures released by ZEC today at the request of the MDC, a total of 206 901 voters were assisted to vote while 304 890 people were turned away with Harare province recording the highest number of 64 483 such people.

However, although ZEC has released these figures, the correct numbers are higher than this considering that two million people particularly in the urban areas failed to register in the chaotic voter registration exercise.

From the figures released by ZEC it is clear that people’s will was disregarded especially in the rural areas where villagers were coerced to vote for Zanu PF by the State agents, Zanu PF militias and traditional leaders in clear violation of the Electoral Act.

Over 300 000 potential voters were turned away for various reasons, ranging from their names being moved from their wards to other constituencies while names of many others were not on the roll despite having been registered or having inspected the voter’s roll prior to the elections. A substantial number of people voted using fake voter registration slips even though their names did not appear on the voters' roll.

As a result of this flawed processes, the MDC totally rejects the 31 July elections. From the evidence made available, not withstanding all omissions and commissions the MDC clearly won the election.

The MDC demands a forensic audit of the electoral processes in particular the voters’ roll, the ballot papers, where they were printed, the special vote; voter displacement and voter registration certificates.

The MDC is determined to pursue all peaceful, legal, political, constitutional and diplomatic remedies to resolve the current crisis and once all the remedies have been exhausted, the people of Zimbabwe should be allowed a fresh opportunity to freely and fairly elect a government of their choice. It is in view of such blatant shortcomings by ZEC, that the MDC demand a credible, free, fair and legitimate election must be held as soon as possible.

Post published in: News
Comments
  1. robobo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *