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Statement on Chikomba and Rushinga parliamentary by-election and Rural District Council elections
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)
October 08, 2006

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) fielded 41 accredited observers who observed both the Chikomba and Rushinga House of Assembly by-elections and local authority elections as the communities went to the polls on 7th October 2006. Polling was characterized by a low voter turnout and by lunchtime, most polling stations were already deserted.

The by-elections were generally peaceful and calm. ZESN observers did not witness any incidents of political violence or intimidation nor did the organisation receive reports to that effect. At the polling stations that ZESN observers witnessed opening , polling started on time with all the opening procedures being followed. These observers noted that there were adequate materials at these stations. The majority of the polling officials in both constituencies conducted themselves in a professional manner.

ZESN observed that there were party agents from both political parties at all the polling stations that it observed. However, in Rushinga, at Maname polling station, the presiding officer barred MDC and UPP party agents from the polling station despite having the necessary documentation from Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the police clearance. By lunchtime these agents had still not received clearance from the ZEC officials at the constituency command centre in Rushinga.

In some wards, some voters were not aware that the local authority elections and the parliamentary by-elections were running concurrently. This resulted in these voters going to polling stations outside the wards in which they are registered as voters. As a result they were unable to vote in the local authority district elections.

There were also incidences of prospective voters being turned away for various reasons. ZESN observers noted that most people were turned away because they did not appear on the voters' roll. Others did not have proper identification particulars. Some voters brought copies of passports while others attempted to vote using drivers' licences which are no longer an acceptable form of identification for voting purposes as they do not show one's citizenship. Some had expired passports or the green waiting passes which did not have the holders' photographs.

In Rushinga, however a ZESN observer at Rushinga District Offices Boardroom witnessed that the MDC candidate Kudakwashe Chideya was allowed to vote using his driver's license.

All the counting procedures were followed although the counting process was needlessly protracted. The presiding officers did not appear sufficiently conversant with the returns and protocol forms whose completion was time consuming. ZESN is also concerned that one of its observers was not allowed to observe counting at Wiltshire HQ Clinic.

ZESN continues to call for the revamp of the existing voters roll, which would help to build the electorate's confidence in the electoral system. It also encourages the electorate to value the importance of inspecting their names in the voter's roll and more importantly to take part in all elections, as a way of influencing the governance trends in the country.

In addition, there was a reduced number of polling stations, when compared to the March 2005 parliamentary elections, resulting in some voters staying away as they had to walk long distances to the nearest polling station.

ZESN notes with concern the apparent dearth of voter education and information dissemination. It believes that a low voter turn out takes away the credit from even the most peaceful and most free election. This negative trend calls for a sustained voter education and information dissemination campaign to promote a culture of citizen participation, which would strengthen democracy in the country.

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