Today, 30 July 2018, Zimbabweans from all corners of the country cast their vote that will determine leaders that will lead them in the next 5 years. Several parties and independent candidates have been nominated in various capacities in what appears to be the most widely contested election since independence. 23 candidates are vying for the presidency and several others contesting in the council and House of Assembly posts across the length and breadth of the country. Heal Zimbabwe Trust has deployed several human rights monitors on the ground to assess whether the election processes are being held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner. Added to this, Heal Zimbabwe has also deployed a mobile team of observers to monitor the political environment during the election.
Below is an end of day update of the voting process
Murehwa Ward 16
A group of 4 ZANU PF supporters led by one Chaponda intimidated people who were on their way to cast their votes at St Clares Polling Station and took down names.
Buhera Ward 18
ZANU PF supporter Sanangurai N’anga, assisted several people to vote at Mutauto secondary school polling station.
Mt Darwin ward 34
ZANU PF members Shiellah Zirambarara and Nyasha Kapunura threatened community members with violence and highlighted that ZANU PF was going to unleash violence in the event that there is run off.
Mt Darwin ward 34
At DDF polling station, ZANU PF agent Jane Koromani threatened National Patriotic Front (NPF) agent Serina Runhare with abduction and highlighted that she was going to be abducted after elections.
Mt Darwin ward 34
At Zambara polling station, Nyasha Kapunura (Secretary to Village head) intimidated community members and highlighted that they will be heavily assaulted in the event that there is a runoff.
Conclusion
Heal Zimbabwe Trust concludes that the 2018 Harmonized Election were conducted in a generally peaceful environment as there were no major cases of violence recorded in and around the polling stations. It is however disturbing to note that some ZANU PF activists including traditional leaders intimidated voters by threatening violence in the event that ZANU PF loses the elections. At some polling stations, traditional leaders were used as ZANU PF election agents whilst some literally force marched people to the polling stations. Heal Zimbabwe notes that such practices pose a serious threat to the conducting of peaceful and fair elections. Most of the polling stations closed at 7pm .Heal Zimbabwe will continue to campaign for peace even after elections and continue to call on political parties and citizens to uphold peace and tolerance as they wait for the announcement of election results.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
