Man tries to vote with school ID

ELECTION days are never without drama, and yesterday's by-elections were not an exception.

Kelvin Tshuma, 26, of Mpopoma, caused a stir when he tried to vote using his high school ID at Nkulumane Primary School, a polling station in the Pelandaba-Mpopoma constituency.

Naturally, he was turned away.

Tshuma wanted to vote using his Msitheli High School ID which he last used in 2010 when he was still a pupil.

"Hey boss, they've turned me away. I had brought my high school ID expecting to vote. They refused but the school ID has all the particulars on my National ID including my ID Number," a dejected Tshuma said.

"I tried explaining to them that I was rushing for (soccer) training and could therefore not go back home to collect my National ID, but they still said 'No'. My only hope is that I finish training early and rush back home to take my national ID before they close."

Tshuma's drama somehow downplayed the poor voter turnout registered at most polling stations in Pelandaba-Mpopoma and Lobengula constituencies.

Bulawayo held five by-elections of the 16 called countrywide.

Voting in the by-elections went on peacefully and in an orderly manner at all the polling stations despite the setback of voter apathy.