News / National
Zanu PF members were recording names of voters in Cimanimani- Heal Zimbabwe
10 Dec 2016 at 05:21hrs | Views
A Civic organisation which observed the elections in Chimanimani, Heal Zimbabwe Trust has released a report that Zanu PF members were seen recording names of voters in a manner that intimidated those who did not want to vote of the party candidate.
"Voters' Names Inscription –known political leaders, particularly from Zanu PF were recording voters' names either before going to vote or after voting. For example, in four wards, 8 cases of Zanu PF supporters writing people's names were recorded," the trust said.
"At Tonhorai Primary School Polling Station in Ward 20, Gift Mtetwa, a Zanu PF member was recording people's names after voting while at Shinja Primary School Polling Station in Shinja, Ward 6, Moses Matiha (Zanu PF Youth Chairperson) was writing people's names within a 150 metre radius from the polling station. In the previous day, Constance Manyika (Zanu PF Ward Political Commissar), Beauty Sakadzai (Zanu PF Chairwoman) and Moses forced people to assemble at the school's grounds to allocate them individuals to assist perceived opposition members to cast their ballots."
The trust said at Muusha Primary School Polling Station in ward 17, Takesure Musindo and David Musonda (all Zanu PF members) were writing down people's names outside the polling station while Chipo Taroyiwa did the same at Saurombe Business Centre Tent Polling Station in Ward 17.
"Writing people's names intimidate voters and it also influences their voting decision because of the fear instilled by name inscription mostly by an opponent or feared political actor. Thus, violating political rights granted in section 67 (2a-d). The practice of writing people's names has been part of Zanu PF's electoral drill to coerce and instil fear among villagers so that they will vote for Zanu PF believing that they will be targeted for violence or reprisals in case the party loses elections," said the trust.
"Voters' Names Inscription –known political leaders, particularly from Zanu PF were recording voters' names either before going to vote or after voting. For example, in four wards, 8 cases of Zanu PF supporters writing people's names were recorded," the trust said.
"At Tonhorai Primary School Polling Station in Ward 20, Gift Mtetwa, a Zanu PF member was recording people's names after voting while at Shinja Primary School Polling Station in Shinja, Ward 6, Moses Matiha (Zanu PF Youth Chairperson) was writing people's names within a 150 metre radius from the polling station. In the previous day, Constance Manyika (Zanu PF Ward Political Commissar), Beauty Sakadzai (Zanu PF Chairwoman) and Moses forced people to assemble at the school's grounds to allocate them individuals to assist perceived opposition members to cast their ballots."
The trust said at Muusha Primary School Polling Station in ward 17, Takesure Musindo and David Musonda (all Zanu PF members) were writing down people's names outside the polling station while Chipo Taroyiwa did the same at Saurombe Business Centre Tent Polling Station in Ward 17.
"Writing people's names intimidate voters and it also influences their voting decision because of the fear instilled by name inscription mostly by an opponent or feared political actor. Thus, violating political rights granted in section 67 (2a-d). The practice of writing people's names has been part of Zanu PF's electoral drill to coerce and instil fear among villagers so that they will vote for Zanu PF believing that they will be targeted for violence or reprisals in case the party loses elections," said the trust.
Source - Byo24News
