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Bulawayo Agenda Observations on the referendum
16 Mar 2013 at 16:47hrs | Views
Preliminary Report
Today (16 March 2013) Zimbabwe held a constitution referendum to usher in a new constitution which forms part of the milestones in the transition which will culminate in the holding of general elections in line with the provisions of the Global Political Agreement of 15 September 2008. As part of its mandate to keep citizens abreast with topical issues, Bulawayo Agenda was observing the referendum in parts of Bulawayo, Matabeleland South (Mangwe, Gwanda, Bulilima, and Beitbridge), Matabeleland North (Hwange, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Binga, Nkayi and Victoria Falls) and Midlands (Lower Gwelo and Gweru urban) provinces. Below are the key findings in observed areas:
Role of Police officers
There was heavy police presence in most polling stations. In some cases there were more police officers than actual voters. There was an average of seven police officers in each polling station which might have resulted in the intimidation of some voters. There was a constant presence of a police officer inside each of the stations, in the queues, as they were also voting, and outside the polling stations.
Polling Stations
There were too many polling stations that people were not aware of leading to polling officers spending the greater part of the day doing nothing. Some polling officers in Makepesi Polling Station in Lower Gwelo, polling officers were caught dozing. This could constitute a sign of voter apathy not only in Lower Gwelo but in some other parts of the country as well.
Conduct of Polling Officers
There was a lacklustre discharge of duties on the part of polling officers which led to first time voters having problems in understanding the voting procedures. For instance, a woman at Robert Tredgold Primary School proceeded to cast her ballot without even marking. This will lead to a high number of spoiled ballots.
Voter Assistance
Persons needing assistance were being assisted by officers instead of people of their choice. At Esigodini RDC polling station, a blind person was assisted by two officers. This raises concerns of police officers making their own choices at the expense of the voters.
Observer Harassment and Intimidation
Cases of observer harassment and intimidation were witnessed in some areas. Two local observers from Bulawayo Agenda and Youth Network for Alternative Development were harassed by police officers at TM Hyper polling for carrying a camera into the polling station while a SADC observer was also allegedly harassed at a primary school at Esigodini. The returning officer at TM Hyper polling station had to intervene.
Opening/Closing times of Polling Stations
Some polling stations opened late. Two instances noted in Bulawayo East and other areas. The Zimbabwe electoral Commission clearly indicated that polling stations will be open between 7am and 7pm.
Low Voter Turnout
There was low turnout in some parts of the country especially in rural areas, reportedly owing to poor publicity of both the draft and referendum. Some citizens that were interviewed accused COPAC and ZEC did of not robustly publicising the referendum. For instance only 50 people had voted by 4pm at Enyema village at Esigodini.
Voters Turned Away
Hundreds of voters were turned away countrywide due to various reasons. In most cases they were either 'aliens' or had brought driver's licenses, expired passports, uncertified photocopies of IDs, employment IDs instead of an ID or valid passport. For instance 162 people were turned away in Entumbane/Emakhandeni Constituency by 1430hrs while 95 suffered the same fate at Tegela Garage (polling station).
Visibility and Accessibility of Polling Stations
Some polling stations were not visible. There were no clear signs directing voters to the polling stations. Robert Tredgold Primary School (Polling station) had no clear signs showing that it is a polling station. This might have resulted in some people failing to locate the venue. In rural areas some people could not access polling stations because they were far from their homesteads.
Conclusion
Most people interviewed were not aware of what they are voting for especially those in the rural areas. They never had access to the draft constitution and were told by opinion leaders in the community to vote "YES" without full understanding of the document. One man from Mangwe District said they were told to vote "YES" at a meeting organised traditional leaders. Some people even thought that this was a registration process ahead of elections to be held later this year.
Having noted the above observations and while greatly appreciating the patience of Zimbabweans during the entire constitution making process, Bulawayo Agenda is deeply concerned with the manner in which the awareness campaign and referendum were organised and conducted. We believe that citizens must be given a fair opportunity to exercise their rights through proper organisation and availing of information on time.
As the country awaits the counting and announcement of the 2013 referendum results, Bulawayo Agenda hopes the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other stakeholders drew lessons from today's polls and that Zimbabweans will not experience the same problems in the general elections slated for later this year
Today (16 March 2013) Zimbabwe held a constitution referendum to usher in a new constitution which forms part of the milestones in the transition which will culminate in the holding of general elections in line with the provisions of the Global Political Agreement of 15 September 2008. As part of its mandate to keep citizens abreast with topical issues, Bulawayo Agenda was observing the referendum in parts of Bulawayo, Matabeleland South (Mangwe, Gwanda, Bulilima, and Beitbridge), Matabeleland North (Hwange, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Binga, Nkayi and Victoria Falls) and Midlands (Lower Gwelo and Gweru urban) provinces. Below are the key findings in observed areas:
Role of Police officers
There was heavy police presence in most polling stations. In some cases there were more police officers than actual voters. There was an average of seven police officers in each polling station which might have resulted in the intimidation of some voters. There was a constant presence of a police officer inside each of the stations, in the queues, as they were also voting, and outside the polling stations.
Polling Stations
There were too many polling stations that people were not aware of leading to polling officers spending the greater part of the day doing nothing. Some polling officers in Makepesi Polling Station in Lower Gwelo, polling officers were caught dozing. This could constitute a sign of voter apathy not only in Lower Gwelo but in some other parts of the country as well.
Conduct of Polling Officers
There was a lacklustre discharge of duties on the part of polling officers which led to first time voters having problems in understanding the voting procedures. For instance, a woman at Robert Tredgold Primary School proceeded to cast her ballot without even marking. This will lead to a high number of spoiled ballots.
Voter Assistance
Persons needing assistance were being assisted by officers instead of people of their choice. At Esigodini RDC polling station, a blind person was assisted by two officers. This raises concerns of police officers making their own choices at the expense of the voters.
Cases of observer harassment and intimidation were witnessed in some areas. Two local observers from Bulawayo Agenda and Youth Network for Alternative Development were harassed by police officers at TM Hyper polling for carrying a camera into the polling station while a SADC observer was also allegedly harassed at a primary school at Esigodini. The returning officer at TM Hyper polling station had to intervene.
Opening/Closing times of Polling Stations
Some polling stations opened late. Two instances noted in Bulawayo East and other areas. The Zimbabwe electoral Commission clearly indicated that polling stations will be open between 7am and 7pm.
Low Voter Turnout
There was low turnout in some parts of the country especially in rural areas, reportedly owing to poor publicity of both the draft and referendum. Some citizens that were interviewed accused COPAC and ZEC did of not robustly publicising the referendum. For instance only 50 people had voted by 4pm at Enyema village at Esigodini.
Voters Turned Away
Hundreds of voters were turned away countrywide due to various reasons. In most cases they were either 'aliens' or had brought driver's licenses, expired passports, uncertified photocopies of IDs, employment IDs instead of an ID or valid passport. For instance 162 people were turned away in Entumbane/Emakhandeni Constituency by 1430hrs while 95 suffered the same fate at Tegela Garage (polling station).
Visibility and Accessibility of Polling Stations
Some polling stations were not visible. There were no clear signs directing voters to the polling stations. Robert Tredgold Primary School (Polling station) had no clear signs showing that it is a polling station. This might have resulted in some people failing to locate the venue. In rural areas some people could not access polling stations because they were far from their homesteads.
Conclusion
Most people interviewed were not aware of what they are voting for especially those in the rural areas. They never had access to the draft constitution and were told by opinion leaders in the community to vote "YES" without full understanding of the document. One man from Mangwe District said they were told to vote "YES" at a meeting organised traditional leaders. Some people even thought that this was a registration process ahead of elections to be held later this year.
Having noted the above observations and while greatly appreciating the patience of Zimbabweans during the entire constitution making process, Bulawayo Agenda is deeply concerned with the manner in which the awareness campaign and referendum were organised and conducted. We believe that citizens must be given a fair opportunity to exercise their rights through proper organisation and availing of information on time.
As the country awaits the counting and announcement of the 2013 referendum results, Bulawayo Agenda hopes the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other stakeholders drew lessons from today's polls and that Zimbabweans will not experience the same problems in the general elections slated for later this year
Source - Bulawayo Agenda
