1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio

By- Election Candidates and Contested Constituencies
CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATE NAME POLITICAL PARTY
REDCLIFF Sengweni Tapera
Isheunesu Muza
Aaron Chenhara
Karigamombe Girimond
GWANDA SOUTH Orders Mlilo
Nephat Mdhlongwa
Elizabeth Ndhlovu
PELANDABA-MPOPOMA Sikhanyiso Duke Ndhlovu
Dumani Gweru
Samuel Khumalo
Samuel Mahlamvana Ndhlovu
Chamunorwa Mahachi
Leornard Nkala
Job Sibanda
Fungai Mutukwa
MDC T
ZANU PF
MDC T
MDC
ZANU PF
MDC T
MDC
ZANU PF
MDC
MDC T
UPP
ZDP
PUMA
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
Interestingly, the MDC-T proceeded to field two candidates in Redcliff despite the fact that this
had cost the party a number of seats in the March 29 polls. ZANU PF emerged with two seats
in the Gwanda and Redcliff constituencies, the MDC T with 1 seat in the Pelandaba-Mpopoma
constituency. The by-election outcome may have been influenced by confusion surrounding the
withdrawal of the MDC presidential candidate, double candidature, split between the two MDC
factions as well as the general climate of retribution and fear that prevailed during this election.
Polling Day Scenarios
While the polling day projected a seemingly calm atmosphere, beneath this façade of calmness
was a noticeable voter intimidation characterized by the ordering of voters to record the serial
numbers on their ballot papers and later submit that information to functionaries of the ruling
ZANU PF. In rural polling stations, Chiefs/Headman were reportedly used to record the names
of their subjects who were then required, against their will, to go and queue behind their
chief/headmen on voting day and vote in a pre-determined sequence and in the process
creating an unfortunate impression to the voters that they could be detected if they did not vote
for ZANU PF.
According to the 251 ZESN short term observers [STOs] and 210 long term observers [LTOs]
who had been deployed in the 210 constituencies, the forcing of people to go to polling stations
and voting for the ruling party candidate was the main incident. The threats and strategies that
were crafted in the run up to ensure that all voters comply and vote for the ZANU PF
presidential candidate were reportedly followed to the letter, voters under specific instruction to
bring the serial numbers of their ballot papers, suspected and known opposition supporters
ordered to profess illiteracy even if they could write, as well as registering their names with
ZANU PF officials after voting.
Incidents of intimidation and harassment within and around the polling stations were more
widespread in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East and entailing placing
of a gun on a table within one polling station or telling people where to place their vote as they
entered polling stations.
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