Sporadic violence cases as polls close

                                                            By Blessing Chapwati   

Sporadic cases of violence and voting inconsistencies have been reported across the country particularly targeting the opposition in today's harmonised elections.

Reports are that in Bulawayo, the home of ZANU PF candidate for Emakhandeni-Entumbane was bombed in the early hours of Saturday.

Incidences of intimidation were recorded in Chegutu West Constituency at Lowood Farm Polling station where a  ZANU PF polling agent was advising people on how to vote.

Addressing a news conference in Harare, the Movement for Democratic Change Secretary General Tendai Biti said his party is deeply concerned about violence against its members.

"In Midlands and Mashonaland Central, our polling agencies were literally chased away from the polling stations. We have unearthed cases where some polling stations were being manned by ZANU PF members disguised as Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials in one of the many tricks Mugabe is using to steal the election," Biti said.

The opposition has cited a number of cases allegedly being employed by the ruling party to manipulate the election.

In Kariba, Makoni South and Rusape, there was a shortage of ballot papers despite the printing of extra ballots by ZEC.

A house belonging to an MDC polling agent was burnt in Muzarabani South while in Chitungwiza South and Seke eight nine ballot books were reported missing.

In Mount Darwin South constituency, the MDC aspiring candidate was arrested for allegations of driving his vehicle plastered with campaign posters in a highway close to a polling station.

In Harare's peri-urban constituencies, opposition polling agencies had an altercation with ZANU PF supporters who are alleged to be ghost voters.

Eight thousand people are believed to have been registered in constituencies where there are no settlements but mere stands that were allocated to people who are yet to build structures.

Under Zimbabwean law, no-one is eligible to register for voting if they do not have proof of residence.

A number of people were turned away by close of polls for various reasons including wrong wards, identification particulars and in other cases failure to produce renunciation certificates for foreign born citizens.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) chairperson, Noel Kututwa said logistics were better organized this time around  compared to the last general election in 2005.

Inconsistencies in the voters' roll were noted, and in some cases couples who were previously registered under one constituency found that their names were moved to another ward.

However some observers say, voters had something to contribute to the problems after many failed to verify their wards and constituencies during the voter's role verification process which closed at the end of February.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) says it is prepared to go to the streets if Mugabe steals the election.

"We urge Zimbabweans in their millions to flood the streets if the dictator rigs this election so as to defend their vote for freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor but it must be demanded by the oppressed," ZINASU said in a statement.

Voting has ended and verification has started at polling stations across the country.

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