Polling officers complain over delayed payments

CIVIL servants in Bulawayo province who were recruited as polling officers during the just-ended harmonised elections have accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of delaying payment of their allowances.

The civil servants told Southern Eye that they were made to sign contract forms which did not stipulate the total amount of money they were supposed to get.

They said while they worked from July 24 to August 2, Zec officials were telling them that they would only be paid for six days.

"This was money meant to cover transport costs and food during the election period. Some of us worked on empty stomachs, while others borrowed money which they are now failing to payback," one polling officer said.

They said on assuming their duties, they were told that 30% of the allowances would be deposited into their bank accounts, but nothing had been paid so far.

Others said police officers on duty during the elections got their advance allowances in hard cash on time.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Zec acting chief elections officer, Utloile Silaigwana, said payment of allowances to polling officers was underway.

"Due to different banks, polling officers are getting their allowances at different times. In a few cases, some polling officers may have given wrong account numbers and that is being rectified,'' he said.