1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio

won the presidential election was clearly in defiance of civil service ethics of impartiality. Such
partisan and intimidatory inclinations were also manifest in most statements by Commissioner-
General Augustine Chihuri.
Traditional Leaders
The role of traditional leadership in the politics of Zimbabwe continued to be controversial.
Traditional leaders were reportedly playing partisan roles in the election mainly to prop up the
ruling party, for instance, by directly campaigning for the ruling party with Chiefs Sogwala,
Gobo, Ruya, and Ntabeni of Silobela reportedly refusing opposition rallies or party regalia in
their areas. In Guruve South, a Bira Svikiro [spirit medium] reportedly urged the community to
vote wisely and shun leaders that will return the country to the whites while in Mashonaland
East, some chiefs and village heads reportedly urged people to vote for the ruling party if they
did not wish to be evicted from their respective villages. Such reports were also made in
Manicaland where Chief Chifodya of Nyanga allegedly campaigned for the ruling party while in
Zaka West, kraal head Nedowa allegedly campaigned on behalf of the ruling party MP
candidate and even forcing people to buy party cards. The kraal head was also reportedly the
vice chairperson of ZANU PF in the area. These developments were particularly disturbing
given that chiefs are mandated by Government to distribute inputs provided by government.
Some traditional leaders however reportedly remained neutral, urging people to vote for
candidates of their choice.
29 March Harmonized Poll
Polling
Across Zimbabwe, polling stations were reportedly opened largely without serious problems
that could pose a risk to the rights of the voter. This general pattern was also applicable in both
rural and urban areas. At most polling stations ballot boxes were shown to be empty to all
stakeholders before they were closed and seated.
According to ZESN observers, 85% opened without any problem, 13% had minor problems and
only 2% had major problems like shortage of voting materials that affected the right of
Zimbabweans to vote. Such shortages were observed at Gatche Gatche polling station in
Kariba which ran out of ballot papers twice. In Harare and some parts of the country some
constituencies were affected by inadequate lighting. In some cases [for instance Makoni
Central] deployment of large numbers of security officers at polling stations to maintain law and
order was intimidatory to the voter.
Although most polling stations visited by ZESN observers opened on time, Glenview South
Constituency at Glenview 3 Primary School and DRC Shopping Centre polling station in
Hwange Central Constituency opened late. At Haig Park School, Barham Green and Maphisa,
some poling agents were reportedly turned away allegedly because ZEC had not accredited
them. At Haig Park School, this was resolved after the intervention of MDC T senior officials.
Voting
The voting process generally took place without serious logistical hurdles although there were a
number of polling stations where minor problems were reported. According to ZESN surveys
voting at 71% polling stations reportedly went without any problems, 26% with minor problems
while 3% had major problems. Major problems involved aspiring voters going to wrong wards,
voters being turned away due to wrong identification documents [drivers’ licences / photocopied
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