In the MDC’s manifesto, the party promises, among other things, an improvement of the education system and health service delivery, an increase in food security and the creation of millions of jobs over a staggered period.
As the crowd took everything in on July 7, suddenly a group of soldiers dressed in green and yellow tracksuits and white and green bandannas descended on the gathering. As panic ensued, some MDC supporters were beaten and others were dragged into the public toilets and soaked in urine.
“Tarisai zvavandiita (look at what they have done to me),” shouted one man as he fled the scene.
The next moment, as if it had been pre-arranged, the group re-grouped and turned on the soldiers. Intimidated by the chanting MDC supporters, the soldiers hightailed it to their vehicles and drove off in the direction of Masvingo.
According to the principles of electoral system chapter 7:155, elections should be held in a peaceful, free and fair environment.
A survey conducted by The Zimbabwean in this constituency showed violence and intimidation was commonplace at MDC gatherings.
There were a number of irregularities in the just-ended voters’ registration exercise as well as in the primary elections.
Inadequate voter education in this constituency, particularly among the elderly, has led to people not understanding the legitimate processes. They are then more susceptible to abuse, manipulation and intimidation.
34-year-old Charity Ngodzo, not her real name, said the village head told villagers that they would not be allowed to vote if they supported parties other than Zanu (PF).
“I was asked to stand up at a village meeting as one of the sell outs since our village rebuked my support for MDC-T,” said Ngodzo.
MDC-T MP candidate for Chirumanzu South constituency, Francis Mudavanhu Masendeke (45), said many people had been threatened with violence, if they continued to support other parties
Some of these people have been evicted from resettlements they were given during the land reform by the Chaka headman, Francis Takaindisa (65).
In addition to threats, opposition supporters are told that their names will not show up in a final voter’s roll.
Joseph Zhou (37) said he was able to check that his name was on the roll after an argument with the local polling officers who told him he wasn’t registered.
“I managed to register during the first round of registration but when I went to verify my name in the voter’s roll during the second round I was told my name was not there,” he said. “I was surprised to find it after all the lies from the polling officers. What about those who had been turned away? Do they know that they are qualified voters?”
An inside source from the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZEC) said a number of people, especially those in rural areas, have been misinformed about election.
“There is no clear information about this year’s election in plain language that the layman in the street and people in rural areas can understand,” said the source from the Commission.
He, however, gave an assurance that every citizen with a voter registration slip would be able to vote, as long they bring that receipt forward on the day.
“Unfortunately the commission is unable to monitor every move,” said the source.
Elderly members of the community showed general ignorance of electoral processes and procedures.
Elizabeth Demba (91) said: “Ndakaenda kunovhota ndikavaudza kuti handigoni kunyora. Ndakabva ndamuudza kuti ndiri kuda kuti undivhotere pachikomo chaVaMugabe nekuti ndivo vanondipa sadza. Akabva atora chitupa changu akandivhotera ndikadzokera hangu kumba.”
(When I went for the primary elections I told the polling officer that I can’t write. Therefore I told her that I wanted to vote for Zanu (PF) since it is the only party I know. She then took my ID and voted)
According to the electoral law, the state must provide adequate information about the electoral cycle to all citizens who are eligible to vote.
The Joint Civil Society observation report on the recently ended mobile voter registration exercise (June 26, 2013), also mentioned that there is inadequate voter education.
“Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has deployed only two people per ward to conduct voter education and this has compromised the reach and quality of the education provided,” the report reads in part.
Post published in: News