kadoma mayoral elections report - Zimbabwe Election Support ...

The polling station opened and closed at the prescribed times. Both ZANU PF and the MDC had2 agents each in the polling station. All arrangements for the polling stations were in order. Atabout 15:00hrs two trucks brought people in the premises and they all voted using registrationslips. It is alleged that the peoples’ names did not appear in the voters’ roll. A report was made tothe presiding officer and the supervisor presumably from the Electoral Supervisory Commissionand later to the registrar. Total number of voters turned away was 97 and most of them did nothave their names in the voters’ roll.4.5 Kuredza Primary SchoolThe polling station was opened and closed at specified times. There were two party agents foreach of the two main parties. 1033 people were attempted to vote and 95 were turned away.Most of the people turned away because their names appeared in the wrong wards whilst one ofthem was said to be under age and could not qualify to vote. There were no irregularitiesreported.4.6 Rimuka High SchoolThe polling station opened at 07:00hrs and closed at 19:00hrs on both days. There were twoparty agents for ZANU PF and the MDC. A total of 338 were turned away. Reports were to theeffect that polling was generally peaceful and there were no reports of irregularities.4.7 Ngezi Primary SchoolPolling began at 07:00hrs and ended at 19:00hrs. The presiding officer managed the processwithout difficulties. 120 people were turned away at this polling station on the second day ofpolling. There were no reports of irregularities.4.8 Eiffel Flats Primary SchoolPolling began at the stipulated times on both days. ZANU PF and the MDC had two party agentsinside the station on both days of polling. The observer deployed in this polling station initiallyfaced problems upon trying to enter the polling station because the polling officers were of theopinion that they had not been informed of his presence in the polling station. ZESN secretariathad to intervene and apply to the constituent registrar for him to authorise the observer entry intothe polling station. The registrar granted the observer the required permission and he entered thestation. A total number of 125 voters were turned away because their names did not appear in thevoters’ roll. The polling officers executed a reasonable degree of efficiency in undertaking theirtasks.4.9 Munro Infant School

Order and Security Act, which requires that a regulating authority has to be notified of theintention to gather or meet failure of which the gathering might will deemed unlawful. In the sameelection, the opposition was on record unable to campaign because of the stringent laws, whichcurtail the ambit of activity for other contesting players.Although the long queues experienced on the first day of polling had cleared by the second day,the reduction of polling stations from 22 during the parliamentary elections which occasioned thelong queues could have contributed to some people not casting their votes.ZESN observers managed to carry their duties without disturbance and there were no incidencesof violence, arrests or harassment towards them as was the case during the presidentialelections.8. CONCLUSIONThe political climate will alter significantly if all elections were held within a relatively peacefulenvironment such as prevailed during the Kadoma election.RECOMMENDATIONS1. It is recommended that voter education endeavours should be intensified and as alwaysbeen stressed such efforts should not be events but a process.2. Voter registration and inspection should be continuous and publicised in time before theelection.3. Inter-party dialogue among political parties and NGOs should be initiated to meet anddiscuss electoral law reforms and do preparations for elections.4. Accreditation of observers should be done earlier in order for them to cover pre-electionperiod.5. Voting information eg.registration, inspection dates and polling stations should beadvertised in time to allow stakeholders adequate time to prepare.6. Election related conflict management and prevention training by ESC with assistancefrom NGOs should be put in place in order to reduce election related violence.7. Two separate polling centres at one polling station are recommended in order to reducequeues.8. Professionalism of polling officials should be commended and this should be extended topre-election and post-election period especially by security forces.

9. Voters’ rolls should be given to all contesting parties and NGOs.10. Voters’ roll should be specific for each polling station to avoid allegations of bussing in ofvoters from outside the constituency and double voting.11. Importance of secrecy of vote should be emphasised in voting by both ESC and NGOs.ANNEXURES1. Original Schedule of Local Authority Elections2. Campaign Period Incidences3. Results of Nomination Court4. Polling Station Statistics5. Results as Announced by Registrar-General6. Results by CandidatePlease note that these statistics are still being collected and finalisedINSIZA PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION REPORTIntroductionThe Zimbabwe Election Support Network presents its findings of the just endedInsiza parliamentary by election held on 26 –27 October 2002. In compiling thisreport, ZESN used information gathered by various members of the Networkfrom the pre election, polling days and immediate post election period. ZESNpersonnel, who were on the ground observing the process were one long-termobserver, eight (8) accredited election observers, national and provincial cocoordinator, taskforce representatives and ZESN Secretariat. Media reports ofthat period were also collected. The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (aZESN) member provided an analysis of the Media coverage of the by- election.1. BackgroundThe Insiza parliamentary by- election was called for following the death of theMovement for Democratic Change (MDC) Member of Parliament George Nldovuwho died at the Bulawayo Central Hospital in August 2002, following a fatalaccident. The accident occurred whilst he was coming from a workshop forparliamentarians in Masvingo at which he complained of severe stomach pains

after eating an apple suspected to have been poisoned. The late George Ndlovuhad won the seat as an MDC candidate in June 2000 parliamentary election byan overwhelming 12 049 votes against the ZANU PF candidate Naison Ndlovuwho got 5304 votes.The Insiza by - election, which took, place on the 26 and 27 October 2002 wasthe first such parliamentary by – election in Matebeleland Region since the June2000 elections. Hence, the election was strategically important for the contestingparties ZANU PF ( Andrew Langa) and MDC (Siyabonga Ncube) as it was anopportunity to show their popularity. For ZANU PF winning the election was goingto show its increasing popularity in the province where the MDC dominatedduring the 2000 parliamentary polls. ZANU PF sought to recapture the seat fromMDC by all means since it had already made in roads into the former oppositionstrongholds in Matebeleland by winning 16 out of the 18 contested seats duringthe just ended rural district council elections as well as having swooped all theparliamentary by - elections held so far.2. Legal frameworkParliamentary and by – elections in Zimbabwe are held under section 58 - 61 ofthe constitution, the Electoral Act and any relevant amendments to the two.Under this legislation, the various electoral responsibilities are given to the fourbodies namely, the Delimitation Commission which sets the boundaries for theconstituencies and wards, the Registrar –General of Elections who registersvoters, updates and maintains the voters’ roll and conducts the elections with theassistance of the Election Directorate which oversees all the logisticalarrangements. The Electoral Supervisory Commission appoints election monitorsand accredits them after consulting with the Registrar- General and foraccrediting local observers invited by the Minister of Legal and ParliamentaryAffairs.The right to vote is available to Zimbabwean citizens over the age of 18 years,who have registered as voters and whose names are to be found on the voters’roll being used for a particular election. Constituency boundaries for the by –election remained unchanged from the ones used in the June 2002 parliamentaryelections3. Voter RegistrationThere was no new registration of voters for the by – election although theRegistrar – General’s Office is in a process of continually updating the voters’ rollas people turn eighteen years of age. For the purposes of the by – election, the

president made a proclamation in the government Gazette of 19 September2002, in respect of the Insiza by – election which fixed the 27 of September 2002as the date on which the voters’ roll was to be considered closed. Anyone whoregistered after 27 September 2002 was not to be allowed to vote in the byelection, but can vote in future elections.4. Voter educationZESN conducted voter education mainly in the form of material distribution andMedia inserts, which were strategically displayed in the state owned newspapers,Chronicle and Daily News. The political environment had not improved toconduct voter education using any other strategy such as public meetings.5. Nomination courtThe nomination court sat on October 4 2002 in the Filabusi Rural District CouncilChambers. The two candidates Andrew Langa (ZANU PF) and Siyabonga Ncube(MDC) were duly nominated.6. CAMPAIGNING6.1 Pre - election incidentsCAMPAIGNINGPre - election incidentsDate Place Nature ofincident15 October 2002 Filabusi MDC robbedcampaign materialat gunpoint“ Filabus police MDC youthstationmemberDarlingtonKadengu shot byAndrew LangaZANU PFCandidate16 “ Filabusi hall ZANU PF invadeMDC campaignvenue17 October Gwandamagistrate court15 MDC youthappear in court18 October Filabusi MDC candidateand his convoyescapes attackedAction takenReport to FilabusipoliceNone to AndrewLanga but 15MDC supporterwere arrested anddetained and thevictim deniedaccess to medicalassistanceMDC meetingcancelledReleased on$5000 bail eachand barred fromInsiza until afterthe electionSurvived byrushing into thepolice stationSourceMDCDaily newsFinancial gazetteMDCZimbabweIndependentZESN long-termobserverMDCZESN long-termobserverMDCZESN long-termobserverMDCZimbabweIndependent

y ZANU PFsupporters18 October Avoca MDC shadowcouncillor forward 6 MarkMahewu Dube isbrutally attackedby ZANU PFmilitia“ Avoca MDC supporterPatricia Moyo’sHouse is attackedand windowssmashed“ Avoca Aglon AtiboneDube is assaultedby the same group18 October Filabusi Kembo MohadiMin. of Homeaffairs and Officerin charge Filabusi(Mr Shoko) visitsMDC commandcentre and ordersthem to pull downtheir flag on anMDC vehicle19 October MDC commandcentre, FilabusiPolice raids theplace anddemands a list ofpeople who werepresent duringKembo Mohadi’svisits from MDCdistrictchairperson JoelMzwalili Ndlovu,and he refuses19 October Avoca, Inyozani After a successfulMDC rallyaddressed byGibson Sibanda ,ZANU PFsupporters attacksMDC supporters’homestead, duringthe fracas aZANU PFmember is injured21octoberThe whole InsizaconstituencyAll known MDCsupporters areharassed,intimidated and orassaulted forNoneNoneNoneIn the eveningZANU PF youthsattacks MDCcommand centre,MDC youthsretaliate and laterriot squad attacksMDC youths inthe commandcentre using teargasJoel Mzwalili and6 MDC youths arearrested andMDC campaignmaterial areconfiscatedMafios Ndhlovuis s accused ofaxing the injuredZANU PFsupporter. He isarrested anddetained at FortRixon policestationIn Ntute 5 MDCsupporters arearrested inconnection withthe ‘case’MDCMDCMDCZESN long-termobserverMDCMDCMDCMDC

handling arms ofwar purported tohave beendiscovered at thecommand centre22 October Sidzive MDC candidatesurvives anassassinationattempt by ZANUPF thugs23 October Mahole MDC rally to beaddressed byGibson Sibanda isinvaded byZANU PFMinisters, Goche,Made, JonathanMoyo, Chombo,Charumbura andmany others andthey startdistributing maizeand fertiliserNoneNoneMDCDaily NewsZESN long termobserverMDCDaily News23 October Silalatshani 7 MDCsupporters arearrested“ Fort Rixon 5 MDCsupportersarrested at roadblock and one ofthem RoderickMtyidya isseverely assaultedby the police asthey demandMDC insideinformationDenied bailTaken to aBulawayohospital afterescapingMDCMDC6.2 Summary of Politically motivated violenceLong-term –observer’s reportViolence, intimidation and harassment took centre stage during the pre electionperiod in the Insiza constituency.Campaigning started immediately after the rural district council elections. ZANUPF began their campaign in a hostile manner; they made sure that every ZANU

PF supporter in the Insiza area got food and maize was made available at a verylow cost of $550 per 50kg. This was only available to those with ZANU PF cardsand those close to the ‘war veterans’ or party youths. This started the weekbeginning 6 – 12 October 2002.The week beginning 13 th October is the week that was marked by violence. InAvoca, violence started with ZANU PF youths moving from door to doorcampaigning and asking for party cards and forcing people to go to ZANU PFrallies as well as to get food from their candidate, Mr Langa. This did not go wellwith the MDC youths. They did the same thing, went door-to-door, village-tovillageand asking people to vote for MDC. By so doing, they entered ZANU PFhomes, and this triggered violence.On October 17 2002 the violence intensified, leading ZANU PF officials came from otherareas to beef-up the campaign for ZANU PF. MDC had its members from as far asBulawayo, among them were Alderman Charles Parira Mpofu, former ZANU PF. TheMDC had their meeting in a nearby area where ZANU PF had its meeting as well. TheMDC supporters started chanting their slogan by denouncing Langa. This did not go wellwith ZANU PF youths and violence erupted. ZANU PF youths also had the same slogandenouncing the MDC candidate Mr Siyabonga. That evening Langa was attacked. Afterthe attack, those arrested were taken to the police charge office and this is where AndrewLanga shot and seriously injured an MDC youth in the presence of Police officers. Thismarked the increase of violence in the constituency.On Friday 18 October 2002 the Police Support Unit better known as the ‘blackboots’ were deployed in the constituency. Their deployment caused more havoc;they started beating people indiscriminately, whether one is a ‘war veteran’, partyyouth or an innocent passer - by. There were running battles between MDC andZANU PF youths. At Inyozani business centre. One ZANU PF member was axedafter they tried to kidnap one MDC youth leader. This also led to more fracas inInsiza. Kidnapping has been known to be one of ZANU PF’s strategies duringtheir campaign as it creates more intimidation, making and creating fear amongpeople.Silalatshani area was a no goes zone as ZANU PF supporters camped at thebusiness centre. MDC campaign posters in the area were removed and replacedby those of ZANU PF. People were instructed never to vote for MDC and if theydo that they would be removed from the area, denied access to basiccommodities such as maize, cooking oil sugar. People were forced to chantZANU PF slogans and forced to attend rallies. Where a ZANU PF rally was to beheld, trucks full of maize were seen parked a day before and this has been usedto lure people. This was pure vote buying as it made people to feel cared for,only to realise that its short-lived.Chiefs and Headmen in the area also took part as they campaigned for ZANUPF. One Chief Madina openly told people in his area to vote for ZANU PF or riskbeing removed from the area. The police were also seen as perpetrators ofviolence instead of peace -keeping. This was proved by a case in which a

student teacher at Gwanda ZINTEC who was sent by the school to takeexamination question papers for grade seven was plastered after his hand wasfractured when the riot police pounced on him for being in Insiza when he doesnot belong to the area.MDC T/shirts and other regalia were regarded as a taboo in the area. Anyonecaught with these would risk being beaten by the police and the green bomberswho had infested the area. Police and soldiers also graced the area asroadblocks were set at every entry point into Insiza. The ordinary people justwished the elections to be over so that they could get back to their normal lives.7. ACCREDITATION7.1 ObserversThe Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs invited local organisations tosubmit a maximum of ten names per organisation for accreditation as localobservers. The press statement came in the Herald of 22 October 2002, that isfour days before the by –election.The Zimbabwe Election Support Network members submitted 50 names to theMinistry and 20 were invited on 23 October 2002. Eventually 8 observersmanaged to travel from Matebeleland South to the ESC offices in Harare to beaccredited due to logistical problems, which the network encountered withferrying them. In this respect communication links with observers were not readilyavailable.7.2 MonitorsThe ESC deployed 220 election monitors to the 55 polling stations. There were four monitors perpolling station, two inside and two outside.7.3 The PoliceThe officer commanding police operations in the constituency, ChiefSuperintendent Martin Maunga was quoted by the chronicle saying Five hundred(500) regular police force and members of the police support unit were deployedin the constituency. The police were seen all over the constituency and at everyentry, point into the constituency there was a roadblock. Their impartiality wasput to test as it was noted that they were searching all vehicles except those withZANU PF logos.7.4 International Diplomatic MissionsThe Swedish, American and Spanish Embassies sent a delegation to observethe by-election in Insiza and their presence caused quite a stir within ZANU PFcircles and the state Media. The ZBC/ TV called the team all sorts of names yet itis within their mandate to observe elections among other activities anywhere in

Zimbabwe. The fact that they have political desks within their missions and thatthey are accorded diplomatic immunity means they should be free to movearound the country without being harassed and or intimidated. However the ZBC/ TV spent more than five days highlighting the issue that they were observingthe election without being accredited and that they were meddling into theinternal affairs of Zimbabwe. However, the ESC Chairperson came out stronglyon the issue and said they were free to observe as there was nothing to hide.8. THE MEDIA(Prepared by Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe a member of ZESN)The Insiza parliamentary by election exposed the Zimbabwe media’s manifestfailure to cover elections adequately. In any election, the media should provide itsaudiences with relevant information on such matters as the voters’ roll, pollingstations, how to vote and even profiles of the contesting candidates for theelectorate to make informed decisions. According to monitoring reports from theindependent Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), this was not done.Instead, all media were enmeshed in reporting the violent political rivalry betweenZANU PF and the MDC at the expense of covering important electoralprocesses. ZBC should be blamed most for abandoning its public servicemandate.Despite holding a greater percentage of the rural media market than all other media hold, thepublic broadcaster failed to lead other media in providing voter education for the benefit ofInsiza’s voters – and the nation at large.Instead, ZBC and the public Press echoed their performance in previous elections by allowingthemselves to be used exclusively as the messengers of ZANU PF campaign propaganda.For example, in the week before the election weekend, ZTV carried six pro-ZANU PF campaignstories and none for the MDC. Two incidents of violence were reported and both were attributedto the MDC. ZTV allocated 42 minutes 35seconds (23,6%) of the total time allocated to its 8pmnews (excluding business and sport) to the forthcoming election. These were either used tocampaign for ZANU PF or to malign the MDC and non-governmental organizations (NGOs),which were depicted as the backbone of the MDC’s campaign team. ZBC radio stations were nodifferent. 3FM carried four stories for ZANU PF (in the bulletins monitored), while RadioZimbabwe had three.There were no MDC campaign stories. Both radio stations reported three incidents of violenceand all were allegedly perpetrated by the MDC. To authenticate claims that MDC was violent,ZTV (18/10, 8pm) reported: “The police have no record of any complaint of any ZANU PFmember or official who has disturbed peace including the Electoral SupervisoryCommission (ESC)… ZANU PF has continued campaigning peacefully to date.”In contrast, SW Radio Africa reported two incidents of violence, both allegedly committed byZANU-PF. Similarly, the private Press blamed ZANU PF for the violence. Consequently, thepublic was left confused as to which party was to blame for the violence. While ZANU PFbenefited from the generosity of the public media, no media covered MDC’s9. POLLING DAYS

To enable the network to observe the election with a limited number of observersthe accredited observers conducted a mobile observation programme as againstthe customary static one. ZESN had 8 accredited observers and in order to coverall the 55 polling stations, five mobile teams were created and these includedaccredited and unaccredited personnel in each vehicle. The teams weredeployed in zones covering Avoca, Filabusi, Gwatemba, Lubuze and Shangaaniareas. In each of the five zones, there were eight polling stations on average.Generally all the teams agreed that the atmosphere during the polling days wasquiet and peaceful but tense due to the pre – election incidents as well groups ofyouths seen all over the constituency and that by moving in-groups it was also asecurity measure. Most teams commended the way they were received at thepolling stations and that most presiding officers were forthcoming withinformation and that they carried their duties in professional a manner. However,concern was raised over accessibility of some of the polling stations such asPhezulu and Gcabayi. Which were quite far and difficult to access as a result ofbad roads.Polling stations visited by ZESN observers were manned by the necessary staffthat is; the presiding officer, party agents from both MDC and ZANU PF, policeofficers, polling officers and ESC monitors. Most voting materials were also inorder.However, a discrepancy was noted regarding the closing time during polling. Instatement released by the ESC it was announced that polling stations were tooperate between 0700hrs to 1700hrs however it was observed that the situationon the ground was different as most polling stations operated from 0700hrs to 1900hrs, the usual time.10. Summary of Polling stations visited10.1 Team one visited the following nine polling stations;Avoca Primary School, Mabuze Primary School, Insiza Primary School, SababaPrimary School, Sidzibe Primary School, Siwazi Primary School, Mkwabeni,Mbaolu and Singwambizi.Generally apathy was observed, an average of 300 people had voted per pollingstation on the first day. On the second day, the voter turnout was lower. It wasnoted that peace and tranquillity characterised the polling days and that all thenecessary staff were present at all polling stations. Almost all-presiding officerswere co-operating.10.2 Team two visited the following eight polling stations.Shangani Hall, Siyazama Primary School, St Lucia Primary School, PhezuluPrimary School, Nyozani Primary School, Fort Rixon Hall, Elbey Primary School,Nkwalini Primary School, Nkankezi Primary School.

Overally people voted in a peaceful manner, and were moving freely in and out of polling stations.All required voting materials and personnel were available. However low turnout of voters wasnoted and high number of voters turned away for not being on the voters’ roll as well as nothaving the required identification.10.3 Team Three visited the following stationsMzingwane Primary School, Dekezi Secondary School, Inyeze Mobile Station, SingwangoSt Matthew’s, Chief Sibasa Hall, Glan Blook, Msithi and Tombo Primary School.The team observed that the atmosphere was peaceful but groups of youths were seen millingaround shopping centres. The team observed that scarce commodities such sugar and mealie -meal were available. ZANU PF supporters were buying 50kgs of maize at $500 from the GMBdepots Posters for ZANU PF were more than those of MDC. On average 300 people had votedper poling station on the first day. The team noted that the number of voters turned away was bithigh e.g. at Mleja 47 were turned away whilst at Chief Sibasa 55 youths were turned away on thefirst day.10.4 Team four visited the following stationsLubuze Primary School, Mleja Hall, Chief Sibasa Hall, Nyamime Primary School, MbokodoPrimary School, Singwango Hall and Singwango No 2.The voting process was flowing smoothly at most of the polling stations visited. The teamreceived a warm welcome at most stations save for Nyamime Primary School were the presidingofficer was hostile and the team was denied access to information. The team was ordered to theleave the polling station. At Mbokodo polling youths brigades were seen rooming around withinhundred metres of the polling station. The team was also denied access o information.10.5 Team fiveThe team observed that generally voter turnout was on the low side at all the polling stationscovered on the first day. The team came across three roadblocks from Mbalabala to Masvingoturn off. The Officers manning the roadblocks were friendly to the observers. However, thesituation was different when they were dealing with buses and private cars, passengers wereordered to disembark with their luggage and subjected to a thorough search. They were alsoordered to produce ID cards.The team came across another roadblock, which was manned by the police support unit whohastily ordered the team to pull of the road and produce identification. On realising that there wasan accredited observer in the vehicle their attitude drastically changed into smiles. Generally, theteam felt that all the roadblocks were intimidating because the police officers were heavily armed.10.6 Mkankezi and Scooter Primary SchoolBy 11 35hrs 100 people at Mkankezi had cast their votes and 275 people by 13 15hrs had castthier votes at Scooter Primary School. 27 people were assisted at these two polling stations whilst25 of them for being illiterate and one was disabled. 15 people were turned away at Mkankenziand at Scooter 37 people were turned away as well. ZESN learn that the people turned away didnot have the required identity particulars whilst some, their names were not appearing on thevoters roll and some for being in the wrong constituency.All voting materials and personnel were in order except for delays caused by the inkcheckingdevice, which broke down and was later replaced. Everyone present showedprofessionalism in the way they conducted their work.Others produced the old greencards used in 1995. The team also noticed a ZANU PF truck full of people, which wasparked by the gate.

Polling days IncidentsDay place incident Action takenTwo Filabusi MDC candidate is Nonedenied assurancefor his security bythe police and heleaves theconstituencyOne Avoca 3 MDC youthschant MDC sloganand blow a whistleat a polling stationArrested11. Counting/ ResultsZESN was represented by two observers during the counting process which washeld at Mtwakazi Hall, Filabusi on Monday 28 October 2002.Counting startedimmediately on the arrival of ballot boxes. To speed up the process it was agreedthat after verification of ballot materials from four (4) polling stations the materialwould be sorted and counting would proceed. This was a shift from the usualprocess of first verifying all voting materials from all the polling stations in theconstituency before counting. However, the counting was held under a peacefulenvironment as members of both parties eagerly awaited the results.Summary of Results and June 2000 – October 2002 comparisonOctober 2002 June 2000ZANU PF 12 115 5304MDC 5102 12 049Spoilt ballots 364 496Total votes cast 17 521 18 823%age Poll 42.3% 48.6%Registered voters 40 000+ OR - 38 714Win margin 7013 674512. Post Election PeriodNo major incidences of violence were observed after the results were announced. However it wasreported in the Financial Gazette of 31 –10 –02 that eleven election agents of the opposition werewounded up on Monday night (counting day) and severely assaulted by suspected ruling ZANUPF supporters. The party agents were rounded up from their homes in Fort Rixon and taken to a

secret location. They were later released on Wednesday 30 October 2002 after which leaders ofthe MDC party took them to Bulawayo for hospitalisation.Police in Gwanda, the Provincial capital in Matebeleland South where Insiza is located deniedany knowledge of such an incident.According to the same report in Bulawayo, ZANU youth’s brigade stoned the MDC regionaloffices during their victory celebrations and this led to running battles with opposition supporters.The MDC youths retaliated by stoning ZDECO, a private college owned by ZANU PF deputycommissar Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu.Generally there was a widespread victimisation of MDC supporters in the aftermath of the poll aswas said by to MDC vice President Gibson Sibanda in an article which came out of the DailyNews on the 1 st of November 2002/13. RecommendationsIt is recommended that an Independent Electoral Commission appointed by aselect committee of Parliament should be set up which would conduct theelectoral process and divorce elections from government machinery, whichreduces the element of partisanship as far as the conducting of electoralprocesses is concerned.Accreditation of observers should be processed timeously so as to enable themto plan logically and to cover pre-election period.The voters’ roll should be accessible to all stakeholders within time.Polling stations have to be easily accessible to people intending to vote to enablethem to exercise their rights and reduce low voter turnout.There is need to improve and standardise lighting in all polling stations.Food distribution and rural development, as a humanitarian processes should beaccorded the respect they deserve and not be used as a cheap campaign andelectioneering gimmick.The ruling party ZANU PF should desist from using state property and resourcessuch as vehicles from various Ministries for its campaign purposes. A levelelectoral field 0.should be created14. ConclusionThe ruling party exploited the issue of food and hunger coupled withunderdevelopment in the constituency so as to gain political mileage. This wasregardless of the fact that food distribution is a humanitarian process, whichshould be free from political sensitisation. The electorate in Insiza constituencyvoted for the availability of food against governance issues.