The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has set the guidelines for the conduct of political players in relation to the general elections set for this Wednesday. ZEC urged stakeholders to adhere to the electoral law which states that political campaigns should end 24 hours before polling day.
Political parties are therefore expected to wrap up their election campaigns by midnight this Monday, with the electoral body saying those who fail to comply with the law will face the consequences.
“We expect the 22nd to be a quiet day as no political party is allowed to campaign. This is what the law says and there are no exceptions,” said ZEC vice chairperson, Ambassador Rodney Kiwa. Ambassador Kiwa also spoke on prohibited activities within a 300-meter radius of a polling station.
“No one should be in their political regalia, no distribution of fliers, no slogans. Voters should just come and cast their ballot and leave the polling stations. When voting, if one makes a mistake, they are allowed to ask for another ballot paper and a person can only assist one person, and not bring many people saying you want to assist them to vote,” he said.
The law gives ZEC five days after the polls to announce presidential election results.
He added, “The law provides for ZEC to announce presidential results but it does not mean that we want to take that long to announce them. We won’t be rushed, however, as we want to meticulously verify the results before we announce them because every vote counts. As for the other results, they will be published at polling stations.”
7 126 600 ballot papers have been printed for the presidential election, with 7 098 750 being availed for National Assembly elections. 6 861 650 ballot papers have been printed for council elections.
According to ZEC, the variation in numbers is due to specific circumstances in different constituencies with every ballot paper set to be accounted for. Zimbabwe goes to polls this Wednesday to elect the President, legislators and councilors.
In other news – Chamisa is confident he is going to win the Zimbabwe election
More than 10,000 people, many clad in bright yellow, gathered on Monday for a climactic show of support for Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa ahead of tense general elections. The southern African country goes to the polls on Wednesday for presidential and legislative elections, with Chamisa, 45, vying to defeat hardline 80-year-old head of state Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The vote, taking place against a backdrop of discontent at Zimbabwe’s economic crisis, is being closely watched as a barometer of popularity for the ZANU-PF party, in power since independence 43 years ago. Supporters of Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) gathered on a parched plot of land in central Harare from where the Zanu-PF’s towering headquarters are visible. Read More
