Vote rigging plague Zanu-PF elections

IRREGULARITIES and allegations of vote-rigging once again plagued Zanu-PF elections in Mashonaland Central Province, raising the spectre of troubles that beset recent elections in Manicaland and the Midlands provinces.

Incumbent chairman Dickson Mafios was squaring off against Luke Mushore.

Voting, which was supposed to be conducted in one day on Saturday, was extended to yesterday and even then six districts still failed to vote.

Voting was still outstanding in Mt Darwin East, Chimanja, Guruve, Kemutamba and Nyahunzvi A and Nyahunzvi; Mazowe South and North, Eskbank and Galloway.

Arrangements were being made to ensure voting is conducted in the outstanding districts.

There was confusion with some districts being told on Saturday that they would vote yesterday, but when people turned up, other officials stopped the process saying voting was supposed to take place in one day.

Among the irregularities cited were incomplete and fake registers that prompted accusations of rigging as it emerged once again that Zanu-PF had failed to conduct elections in one day.

While rival candidates were peddling different figures last night, presiding officers said official results will only be released once all districts have voted.

"We are still counting the ballots and we expect to have completed the process by tomorrow (today)," Francis Nhema, who was the presiding officer, said.

"There were a few challenges that were experienced, especially related to transportation of materials, but overally the process went on well."

When The Herald visited the province on Saturday, it was clear there were problems as some voters spent almost the whole day standing in queues without voting.

Those not patient enough ended up abandoning the queues to pursue other things.

In Manicaland, Monica Mutsvangwa withdrew her challenge to incumbent John Mvundura citing irregularities and allegations of vote-buying and other underhand deals.

Voting was also extended to more than one day in the province, contrary to provisions governing the holding of the elections.

Mvundura was declared the winner of the Manicaland chairmanship

The problems were the same in the Midlands where incumbent Jason Machaya was declared winner against Larry Mavhima.

Elections for Mashonaland West province that were supposed to be held at the same time with those in Manicaland and the Midlands were postponed after irregularities were noted.

Elections for the remaining seven provinces will now be held simultaneously at a date to be advised following a resolution passed by the party's Central Committee at its meeting last week.

The provincial elections were being held in preparation for the party's Annual National People's Conference to be held in Chinhoyi next month.