Mwonzora said CIO operative was leading the changing of polling officers throughout the country.
Traditionally, teachers have been engaged as polling officers by ZEC to coordinate polls as polling officers.
However, Zanu (PF) has labelled teachers as agents of change who influenced the rural folk to vote for MDC in the 2008 harmonised elections in which they lost.
During the build-up to run-off election of June 27, that year which saw Morgan Tsvangirai withdrawing last minute citing persecution of his supporters, teachers were one of the most targeted groups of political violence.
“In Nyanga CIO head of operatives one Nyakatava is leading the replacement of polling officers with Zanu (PF) sympathisers who are mainly drawn from the Ministry of Youth.
“The reason is to manipulate the vote by making sure that polling officers are Zanu sympathisers who can manipulate the vote,” he said.
The Zimbabwean is reliably informed that in Murewa South, Mashonaland East Province two teachers were withdrawn after deployment.
“Two teachers from Murewa South received orders from ZEC this morning ordering them that they have been replaced with other people,” said a ZEC official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Mwonzora said they have also received similar reports in Mt Darwin and most parts of Mashonaland Central Province.
“We have since raised the issue with ZEC and SADC through its observer mission,” he said.
Efforts to get comment from ZEC were futile as both Chairperson Rita Makarau and her deputy Joyce Kazembe were reportedly engaged in a series of meetings today.
Post published in: News